sulfasalazine side effects

[Olliechops]

Hi, I have posted previously about this. I was on Sulfasalazine for 4 weeks and from week 3/4 had bad side effects, really low mood, muzzy head, trouble concentrating, palpitations and headaches. I came off them, my rheum nurses agreed I had done the right thing. I have been off them 9 days now. Feeling lot better than I was, the only symptoms I’ve got left is occasionally feeling low in mood and a bit muzzy headed from time to time. I was told the tablets should be out of my system after 5 days but still don’t feel completely like myself. Just wondered if anyone knows how long it took for the tablets to get out of your system, if anyone has had anything similar?

[tyncwmmarchhywel]

Hi Oc,yes like you very very fatigued, been on it a month working up to 4 per day,came off them 2 days ago,so far not much change, I also take 5mg Predislon and have to add another lmg to get to do anything special,Ihave a history of not being tolorable to these drugs at all,I will wait a few days and see how things pan out. Take care.

[Runrig01]

it has a half life of 5-10 hrs which means it’s out your system by 55hrs later, at the latest. Hopefully the remaining symptoms settle soon 🤗

[RUSTY750]

Hi.. I was on SS and MTX about 5 years ago for approximately 6 months. Apart from sitting in an armchair being tired and grumpy I wasn't aware of the side effects.. fortunately my partner did notice my depression and contacted my Dr. .... Stopped taking the SS and started on a biologic ...gradually things improved.. but I wasn't back to 'normal' for a few months...

[Olliechops]

Thank you all for your replies. It’s good to know you’re not the only one going through it. It makes me nervous about trying anything else but will see what consultant says at the end of the month.

[smilelines]

I think although the medicine is out of your system, your system needs to heal.

[Olliechops in reply to smilelines]

Yes, that's a very good point, thank you.

[cyberbarn]

I had a bad reaction to Sulfasalazine and I just checked back to my diary and it was 10 days before I felt okay. I also had a rash over my whole body, and gastro problems, and they took longer to right themselves. I had my routine monitoring blood tests on the day I discovered the rash and stopped taking sulfasalazine, and sure enough when I got the liver results they were high. If I remember correctly by the next blood test two weeks later they had starting going down again, but hadn't yet returned to base level.

I hope that reassures you that even if the drug leaves the system quickly it can take longer for the symptoms to resolve.

[Olliechops in reply to cyberbarn]

Yes thank you, that's good to know. I'd never really thought about it like that. I was thinking as soon as they've left my system I should be OK and why was I still not feeling right, but yes it makes sense really. Glad you're OK now too.

[RAGuy]

I have recently had the same experience as you on Sulfasalazine. My low mood and depression was a problem for over 3 weeks after I stopped taking them. It can take a while for your brain chemistry to return to normal so do not be overly concerned if it takes that long. It will pass.

[Olliechops]

Ah thank you so much. It is very reassuring to hear that. Glad you're OK now.

[dinnermiss]

I took them for 3 days and felt so ill I stopped. Unfortunately my specialist decided that I should start again but on higher start dose. I thought he knew best so did what he said. Day 2, I was in hospital with severe side effects. Headache so bad I couldn't see, everything I heard was like being under water, pain unbearable, whole body numb, couldn't speak properly, couldn't stand, shivers and hot flushes. I was out of it for 2 days. Spent 4 days in hospital getting it out my system. Even after all that my specialist asked if I wanted to give it another go. Thankfully my GP was amazing and set me up with another hospital and specialist. It took me a good few weeks to feel normal again. I know to some it's a wonder drug but unfortunately not for me. After being rediagnosed I am on biologics.

[Olliechops in reply to dinnermiss]

That's awful. Mine were bad but not that bad. I thought I might get a telling off from rheum nurse for coming off them but thankfully she said it was the right thing to do. Glad you're on the mend now.

[Green230461]

Very dark wee……..🤨