combination hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine - does it work for any of you?

[peridotlouise]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with RA and was put on sulfa, my rheumy tried adding mtx but i had awful side effects so am now on hydroxychloroquine and sulfa...has this combination worked for anyone? just wondered how other people got on with it.

[Hidden]

Hi I've been on this combination for a few months and unfortunately it hasn't worked for me - but that's not to say it won't for you, we are all different in how we react to drugs.

I've stopped Sulfa as I was experiencing a bad taste & smell, which may be caused by sulfa. I'm about to start MTX & am hoping that I wont have side effects with that!

Hope it works for you. Sulfa does take up to 3 months to kick in.

[Biofreak in reply to Hidden]

Hi there. Sulphasalasine was helpful in my case but took 12 weeks to kick in. After a while it wasn't as effective and I too was prescribed methotrexate alongside. The side effects of the methotrexate for me were horrendous (chronic chest infections) and I'm now asthmatic as a result. I refuse to take it now even if its my passport to biologic treatment.

[helixhelix]

I'm on both, but also MTX. I started with MTX which worked, but not enough so the others were added in which has been better. I had side effects from MTX, which largely wore off, but haven't had any problems with the Hydroxy or Sulpha. Polly

[maxb]

ive been on both for nearly 18 months after i got awful side effects from mtx, ive had no major side effects with them but they've not been working well for me for past 2/3 months. But what wont work for some people may work for others, i guess its just a case of trying them and see how you go on.

[chris4321]

well ive been on both and they have help me stem the disease but now going to have to have TNF therpy injections but they do help but i take 3 month or more depends on patient and how bad your RA is try and be patient and have a try i cant take the methrotrexate at all allergic reation i have lupus and they help me