Hello everyone. I hope your all keeping well as you can in thus scary time.
I’m just wondering if anyone has ever had a reaction with sulfasalazine ? I started it last Wednesday as an add on with methotrexate injections and I’ve since gotten a raised rash in my legs very itchy?
If you look on NRAS.org.uk there is a part for drugs usage and reactions . I was absolutely fine on them but I would chat with the rheumy team about what they advise, I know that might be hard bit our are answering helplines x
Yes I’ve reacted to sulfasalazine. I didn’t have a rash mine started with a headache dizziness swollen tongue lips and hoarse throat. A rash needs to be taken seriously ring your clinic or your Gp
That’s must’ve been scary for you, I hope you okay now. I have emailed nurse so hopefully will hear back soon. x
Yes I had a reaction to it and should have sought advice sooner than I did! I agree with what the others have posted: read the NRAS advice and contact your rheumy if you're concerned.
Yes I have now. Thank you
Exactly what happened to me, within 3 days of starting sulphasalasine, I developed an itchy rash on my legs. I called the rheumatology nurse helpline and was told to stop taking it immediately.
Clemmie
I got really wheezy and stopped it within days. If ur worried ring ur GP.
Yes. Same here. Was told to stop it straight away....
I had hideous nausea with that stuff. so much so I couldn't take it without almost throwing up. same with methotrexate. sigh.
Hi I took Sulphasalazine (or “silver sardines” as my husband incorrectly heard me say I was taking!) as my first med for RA back in 1995. It worked slowly but well for me for a number of years to reduce the inflammation and stiffness but whenever I was outside/in the car/sitting near a window, I would develop a red, intensely tickly prickly heat rash all over the areas exposed and often it would not go for hours especially if it was on my face and neck. It did calm down as soon as the sunlight was not on me. I used Sunsense sun barrier cream and other very high factor cream. No success. I’d also get a rash through my clothes when walking outside in the sunlight. I didn’t sunbathe as such but couldn’t wear short sleeves in the good weather or even sit out in the shade.
I was told by a rheumy at first it wasn’t Sulpha but it was obvious to me it was. I persevered with it for a few years as I was alright from October to April when there isn’t much sun or any strong sun, but I saw a dermatologist about it who wanted me to have areas of my back exposed to intense UVA. I was unsure I wanted this as I thought this could be more harmful than the irritation. I received a letter asking me to go for three consecutive days of UVA in the main city centre hospital but this was induction week on my degree so I had to decline anyhow for the UVA. I met a tutor on the degree who had the same “urticaria Solaris” as myself (not with RA or on any meds .. an allergic person who had eczema and sun sensitive) and she said she had the UVA treatment and it didn’t help her.
I didn’t have any allergic wheeze or other reactions, but Sulpha definitely gave me a problem in the summer months. I stopped taking it when it stopped working for me after about 6 years and I needed something to reduce the RA inflammation again. Good luck with trying to sort your problem and hope that you can hear from your rheumy soon or be in touch with your doc.
You suffered along time with it.
I hope your doing better with you meds now.
I’m still waiting to hear back ftom rheumy nurse but I haven’t taken it today.
It was very annoying but not painful or dangerous for me. If I went out people were saying .. what’s wrong with your face? etc (which was very rude but ... some people can’t help themselves!) I would have stopped it too/got advice straight away if I had been wheezing/swollen up, or other reactions from it. I am sure you will hear from your rheumy team soon. 🤞🏻
Good I’m glad you didn’t take it today. Don’t take any more unless told you. Got a feeling this drugs not for you
Hello Pinkplum,
Not with a wish to alarm, and we are all different, but....
I had an almost immediate reaction which was painful raised itchy rashes under arms, behind knees and anywhere warm to not paint too much of a picture!
This resulted in rheumy stopping Sulpha straight away, and it was classed as an allergic reaction and is still at the top of my patient record as an allergy. Good luck!
Wishing everyone well
Liz
Yes, lots of raised red rashy itchy bumps on my legs and elsewhere is exactly what sulphasalizine did to me. My rheumy took me off them straightaway and within a week or so, all was clear again.
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Thank you, my nurse has told me to stop now, and has something else in mind for me 🤷♀️
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