Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine combo

[gr95]

Hi all,

Just been added Sulfasalazine to my medication alongside Hydroxychloroquine. Anyone have any experience of these in combination?

Thanks!

[Boxerlady]

I had Sulphasalzine added to my existing Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquin and the combination has been great for me. I had some slight nausea initially but it passed after a few days and the only long-term side effect is the dramatic yellow wee 😂 My longstanding IBS-C seems to have settled down though 😉

[gr95 in reply to Boxerlady]

Top stuff thanks for the insight!

[allanah]

Yes I had them I did get my eyes checked yearly but didn't have any problems and I think if I remember I had slightly orange wee but no infections or anything. I remember it really reduced my swelling a lot and helped the pain.

Eventually I ended up on biologic but that combination worked for a good while as I couldn't tolerate methotrexate. Good luck, fingers crossed this sorts you right out xxx

[gr95 in reply to allanah]

Same here regarding MTX, thanks for the insight!

[allanah in reply to gr95]

Good luck

[sylvi in reply to allanah]

I too can't have MTX due to having a ground glass appearance on my lungs, and with biologicals i get too many ifections to take them again.xxx

[MaryEmma2 in reply to allanah]

Why did u have your eyes checked.

[gr95 in reply to MaryEmma2]

Hydroxychloroquine can affect a particular part of your eye with prolonged use I believe so best to have a eye health check yearly.

[allanah in reply to MaryEmma2]

As gr95 says. Sorry I missed your question !

[zen4]

I had that combination for a while and it was ok until I had my eyes checked. Hydrochloroquine is thought to sometimes causes problems to the retina but all meds have side effects so just get your eyes checked regularly. Sulphazalazine is amed I have had for donkeys years and for me there has never been any problems apart from yellow wee! I think the effects reduce after time though.

[gr95 in reply to zen4]

Hi Zen, yep I regularly have eye checks with Hydroxy as been on it for nearly two years now. Thanks for the comment!

[sylvi]

I am on that combination at the moment with no ill effects. xxxx

[Llanberisman]

I take the triple therapy…works really well to keep the RA in remission and no apparent side effects.

[gr95 in reply to Llanberisman]

What’s the triple therapy?

[Boxerlady in reply to gr95]

I'm on triple therapy - Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquin and Sulphasalzine

[Llanberisman in reply to gr95]

As said by Boxerlady…

[Ferret18]

Hi gr95I had that combo (then had Leflunomide added after difficulties with methotrexate). No severe side effects, just yellow wee and it can colour my teeth too, so I always clean my teeth after taking it.

Good luck

[Scottishlad]

In addition to the coloured pee, it can also colour your sweat and light coloured clothing can be affected.

This combination worked for me for a few years before Methotrexate was added. I'm now on Methotrexate, Hydrochloroquine and Cimzia biologic.

[Biofreak]

Hi. I couldn't tolerate methotrexate so was put on sulphasalazine. Been on it for years with no noticeable side effects apart from yellow wee. It was very effective at first but the effectiveness began to wear off so leflunomide was added but I started losing my hair so that was stopped. Hydrochloroquine was considered but rejected because of existing eye problems. Then put on a biologic but still take sulphasalazine as well.

[Green230461]

Sulfasalazine has made all the difference for me but my teeth have gone slightly yellow over the years with it. ⭐️Good luck.

[bienassis]

I can only comment on the Hydroxychloroquin. My rheumy wanted me to add this drug to the methotrexate some years ago after a series of flares.

I did a bit of research and found it wasn't advisable for anyone over 65 (at the time I was 75), especially if the patient had any eye trouble. My eyes were fine although by then I had had cataract surgery on both eyes. I mentioned this to my rheumy and was told "You will be OK for a while".

I thought about it and decided against. I am now 86 and wonder if it was the right decision, but there is no way of knowing. In any case I was eventually prescribed a biologic in combination with methotrexate.

It was the "for a while" that worried me. Anyone classed as elderly may find the risk unacceptable. It's not an easy choice. But at any age regular check-ups would be necessary.