Sulphasalazine

Type of Medication: Anti-inflammatory agent

Indications: Rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Chrons diseaaase,CF related arthropathy

Side Effects: rash, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache,leucopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, orange urine & tears, nausea, reduced appetite, pyrexia, agranulocytosis, haemolytic anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia, hypoprolactinaemia, Stevens Johnson syndrome,pruritus, photosensitivity,urticaria, periorbital oedema, arthralgia, eosinophilia, fibrosing alveolitis, stomatitis, parotitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, perecarditis, myocarditis, vertigo, tinnitus,neuropathy, ataxia, fits,depression, insomnia, hallucinations, oligospermia, haematuria, proteinuria/nephro

Route of administration: Adult (Oral)

Dose:week 1: 500mg daily week 2: 500mg bd week 3: 500mg tds week 4: 1000mg bd continue on this dose if tolerated

Administration: monitor LFT’s, FBC, monthly for the first 3 months. Ask patient to report any unexplained bruising, bleeding, purpura, sore throat, fever or malaise – stop drug immediately if there is suspicion of blood dyscrasia

Examples of some Drug Interactions

Interacting drug: Cardiac glycosides

? reduced absorption of digoxin

Interacting drug: Folic acid

possibly reduces absorption of folic acid