Sulphasalazine

[cropredy]

Hi I have been taking Sulphasalazine now for about five weeks and I feel its too early to say if it is working, however I have been getting mild indigestion since taking it. Can anyone who takes it give their thoughts on the drug? I have been on biologics for about six years bit because of recent flare ups my Rheumatologist suggested I try it.

Keep safe and stay well.

Ray

[Biofreak]

I take sulpasalazine and have for years. I seem to tolerate it well but I also take an omeprazole first thing in the morning to protect my stomach.

[Boxerlady]

I've been on this for a while; I had quite a lot of nausia initially but it seems to have settled 🤞I always take it straight after food in fact, in the morning I often take it halfway through my bowl of porridge after someone mentioned that on here.I do have the enteric-coated version which might be helping?

[Summerrain14]

I have been on sulphasalazine since July 2019 and tolerate it well now. Initially I had some mild side effects but they settled within weeks and have not had any problems at all with it since. Recently increased in April to six tablets a day too and now have MTX too. I too have the enteric coated version and omeprazole too. Hope your side effects settle and it helps alongside your other meds.

[Smelliott]

Hi! I take famotidine to protect my stomach (can't take omeprazole as it interacts with Naproxen). Just FYI, it took me more like 16 weeks to feel much benefit from sulfasalazine, so hang in there! I'm on 6 tabs a day now (3g), and waiting to see how far it will take me. I'm not 100% yet, but back on my feet at least.

[bpeal1]

I’ve been taking sulphasalazine for 13 years. Never had any issues with it and now take 8 tablets a day. However, a friend of mine did have a nasty reaction to it but it happened very quickly (within a couple of weeks of starting it). My advice would be if it’s concerning you ring your rheumatology helpline and take their advice.

[Cheylann]

You need to take something to protect your stomach like osemeperazole.

[Green230461]

I was given omeprazole with it to protect my stomach😀

[Biffa67]

Stick with it it does work after a while

I take 6 tablets a day I find it better to take 2 tablets 3 times a day mid meal

I was taking 3 tablets twice a day mid meal

But I was feeling sick a lot

Taking them in three doses lessens the side effects

If I do feel sick I take a peppermint oil capsule highly recommended 👍which helps a lot or drink some ginger tea with fresh ginger in it

I also self inject 25mg of methotrexate

I have had two bad years after 15 good years on just methotrexate

But I am now feeling much better

I exercise a fair bit as well and I am now getting back to where I was 2 years ago

The pain inflammation and tiredness of RA far outweighs the side effects of the medication I take

It took a long time to get benefits of sulfasalazine and some adjustments to my dose

It does sometimes feel like you are taking tablets all the time which I struggle with mentally