Sulfasalazine shortage

[sensibleshoes]

Hi just wondering if anyone else is struggling to source their sulfasalazine medicine. Told yesterday there is a nationwide shortage?

[Hidden]

Yes sensible shoes the last twice I have been given a different kind a bit bigger than the ones I got at first was told just the same but different make

[Summerrain14]

I have been so lucky and not had any issues at all with continuing to get my Sulphasalzine from my local chemist. Had my usual ones delivered as always only last week. Think someone put up a post about it yesterday and maybe an issue with Boots pharmacy not able to get them but not sure? So sorry you are having issues getting your medication. Can you contact your rheumatology team to ask about sourcing them in the meantime? x

[sensibleshoes in reply to Summerrain14]

Thanks summerrain14. I’ve been given some uncoated ones my normal ones have a coating which makes them easier on the stomach.

[Summerrain14 in reply to sensibleshoes]

I have the Gastro coated ones too which are easier on the stomach. They are an oval shape I would say. I really do hope you can get hold of your usual brand soon. 🤞🏻 x

[Sky42]

I've just collected my first lot, I get mine from our local chemist, so maybe an issue with Boots.🤞it's not a national supply chain issue. Helpful comment re coated ones, I hadn't realised there are two types.

Hope you get some soon.

[Lyndylou34]

I collected my first tablets (gastro coated) 2 weeks ago at Tesco's. They were short of five tablets and they still aren't back in stock.

Fingers (non swollen ones 😉) crossed it gets sorted soon.

[Happygranny1958]

Yes I'm having trouble getting them too, I have enough for next week so really hoping they get some more in.

[BillyJayDuncs]

I have had exactly the same issue today. I went to collect my prescription and they had my Methotrexate but not the sulfasalazine. They said there is a national shortage. I have 6 a day and my knee is flaring so I am feeling a bit panicky. They have temporarily given me some of the non coated ones but I have been looking at the side effects v the coated ones and it doesn't sound fun potentially! They said in the pharmacy "you might just have t swap to another medication". It's really not that straightforward though is it!

[sensibleshoes in reply to BillyJayDuncs]

I’ve been taking the non coated ones for a few days now and touch wood no side effects. Hope your flare subsides soon.

[BillyJayDuncs in reply to sensibleshoes]

Thanks. Hope they keep working OK for you too. They wanted to prescribe a stomach protector too, but couldn't because it interacted with the Methotrexate.

[Hidden in reply to BillyJayDuncs]

I take a PPI with methotrexate and I believe others do. In fact my rheumatologist prescribed it for me

[BillyJayDuncs in reply to Hidden]

I will give the hospital a call tomorrow to see what they will prescribe then. Thanks for the tip.

[Hidden in reply to BillyJayDuncs]

No problem

[Flamingo88]

Hi, I’ve been struggling to get them too, been told it’s a nationwide problem aswell. The pharmacist said they could try to order a liquid version? Has anyone had this? Not sure I’d be that keen to try but only a couple of days worth left.

[mjrminor]

Hi, just checking in on this post to see if anyone has been able to get hold of the enteric coated Sulfa pills yet? All of the pharmacies in my town are out of enteric and short on the non-enteric. Today I've been given ten days' worth of the non-enteric kind and told they may have more sometime next week. The enteric may not be with suppliers until the end of the month.

I experienced a shortage like this a year or so ago and had to take the non-coated for over a month. By then my RA was starting to flare and I was having terrible stomach pains. From what I've learned the non-enteric sulfa is usually prescribed for things like Chrohn's disease because it releases directly in the stomach, whereas the enteric coated sulfa is prescribed for RA because it passes through the stomach and releases in the lower intestine, so it better reaches the rest of the body.

Hoping this shortage ends soon.

[woodstar1]

I went to collect my prescription today and they still don't have them!! It's been around 4 months now, luckily I do have a few bottles spare but this is getting ridiculous now!