Kidney Stones

[Water-gem]

I’ve been recently diagnosed with RA. I’ve been taking sulphasalazine for the last 3.5 months with no relief but with plenty of side effects (now subsided a little), after contacting my rheumatologist after feeling rubbish for weeks with flu like symptoms and feeling generally ill, I was started on methotrexate, along with my 3000mgs of sulphasalazine daily. After two weeks I feel the flu like symptoms have improved to a certain extent but I now have excruciating pain in the lower left hand side in my back. After visiting my GP today she’s confirmed that I have no infection and has diagnosed kidney stones. Has anyone else had any kidney stones whilst taking sulphasalazine?

[Marionfromhappydays]

I've had kidney stones so I feel your pain, did your GP send you for an xray or scan to confirm ?

Got to drink that water like its going out of fashion ! I didn't have the stone whilst on RA medication, when I passed it they sent it for examination and I think mine was a calcium one.

It is prescribed you should drink plenty of water whilst taking sulfasalazine, I would definitely speak to your rheumatologist and see if sulfasalazine is still appropriate for you now as you've got a stone.

Take care, mine got stuck and boy did I know about it xx

[Hidden]

I took sulfasalazine for a number of years and didn’t experience kidney stones or indeed any side effects at all. The effectiveness wore off after a while and I was put on MTX, but I can’t say it caused any problems and was highly effective for the first few years after my diagnosis. I looked up the drug in the online bnf and renal impairment was mentioned, but it had this to say as well on the subject of precautions and side effects of all aminosalicylates:

“Although the manufacturer recommends renal function tests in rheumatic diseases, evidence of practical value is unsatisfactory,”

suggesting that in practice, very few cases will be a result of taking sulfasalazine. Quite possibly, it may be that if you’re prone to renal problems then taking this drug could make them worse. There was definitely a link to renal problems suggested, but nothing actually mentioned kidney stones. Your consultant may know more than anyone.