Sulfasalazine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Sweet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Awful drug!! I was on this drug for 2 months. Started at one tablet a day then increased to 2 tablets a day equaling 1,000 mg. It seemed to help some with joint pain but the side effects were awful. Intense migraines from the start then a few a days ago, I had to call an ambulance as I felt like I was having a heart attack and couldn't breathe. I was vomiting as well. My liver enzymes were through the roof and now they think I have liver damage. I'm due to have a liver biopsy soon. Run, run far away from this med!!"

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2012

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I never got to the full dosage of 2 pills twice a day. I was slowly increasing the dosage from one pill once to one pill once... that's as far as I got. The side effects were horrible. My mother, a breast cancer survivor, likened my side effects to chemo. My mind couldn't focus. I couldn't sleep, yet I was always drowsy. I always noticed that the side effects would ease about 6 hours after taking, then would show 30 min after taking. I finally gave up, and changed meds."

• Mumsw...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 20, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Been a psoriatic arthritis sufferer these last twenty years. My flare ups are dreadful. After taking them for just two weeks symptoms are abated; it really works for me despite convincing my new GP I knew what I was on about! Methotrexate was awful. No side effects with SULFASALAZINE with me. After three months no pain at all....but one needs to drink lots of water. I've had periods on and off this drug, all due to flare ups..."

• Humbled...
• June 22, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm a late 50s male recently diagnosed with RA. Thus far, it has not worked at all for me (have "ramped up" over the past two months). To be fair, I was told it could take months before it "kicked in." I'm fairly miserable every day - hands, feet, and jaw, alternating or at the same time. Had no idea how nasty RA is until getting first-hand experience. Fatigue is an issue for me as well, RA or the sulfasalazine? This has been tough as I have always been very active."

• KDL
• February 1, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "I have taken sulfasalazine for 40 yrs. It worked OK on my u.c. until I had a flair up. I would have to take 8 pills a day for months. My urine was always orange and Medicaid only paid for a limited number of pills per month. After much research this year, I tried a probiotic for my gut. I found that one probiotic (45 billion active cultures) a day did a better job of keeping the u.c. at bay. I can eat vegetables I couldn't before. I have less gas and more normal bowel movements. I quit taking the sulfasalazine because it interfered with the probiotic. I haven't had a problem these last 6 months even with excessive stress."

• Tdcime
• February 26, 2017

Sulfazine (sulfasalazine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Nasty stuff. First had extreme tiredness, then stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, fever, chills, rash. Went to emergency. Was on it total of 3-1/2 wks. Stopped it two days ago, still not well. Maybe go back to methotrexate."

• DeeDee
• March 13, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My rheumy, after RA diagnosis in 11/2019, put me on prednisone, then added plaquenil, then sulfasalazine, gradually to 3 tabs 2x day. No side effects. After my joint pain was 75% diminished, my doctor weaned me off the 10mg daily prednisone. Took 3 months. There was a little bit of flare up after each lessening of prednisone dosage but after a few months, nearly every joint felt 90% better. It's been about 1 year since I went off prednisone completely and I've noticed one of my knees has become pain-free and only one has some pain. I also have a little pain in one shoulder but compared to the 20-something joints that had been initially affected I'm happy with this drug cocktail. I believe both drugs are helping me greatly but I'm not sure how efficacious if I only took one and not both. For that reason, I must rate this drug 9/10. I'm very grateful that my doc was able to get me from excruciating pain to nearly normal function. I hope you will all find your magic elixir."

• Jelly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2014

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I slowly increased the dose weekly. I was ok on 2 a day but once increased to 3 my eyesight got a little worse. I reduced them for while then slowly up to 4 a day. The nausea was terrible I also felt really ill and very tired but didn't know why. Had to take time off work I felt so bad. Lowered dose to 2 again and was better but once I tried to increase it again the nausea and ill feelings came back. Stopped them and eventually felt better. Didn't realise just how bad they had affected me until I was back to normal again!"

• Hurti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started taking sulfasalazine (SZS) with Plaquenil 2 months ago for RA. Immediately felt dizzy, confused, nosebleed and depression and also severe vision changes. Bi-Weekly blood draws were a total painful waste of time. Then began a very intense ringing in my ears. Discontinued Plaquenil twice a day, and dropped the SZS from 4 per day to 3. I did get some relief from RA, but far from worth the suffering of the severe side effects. Ringing in my ears continued especially bad in the mornings. Stopped SZS 2 days ago and ears still ringing like crazy. I hope this stops soon as I am almost crazy with it. Both drugs are very nasty and I will never again take either of these drugs. Appointment with Rheumitologist as soon as the ringing stops. She suggested an appointment with Audiologist to address the tinnitus. I know it is the SZS causing it. Going to try a different treatment, might as well go all the way at this point. Not ruling out Humira or another Biologic."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Without doubt, the worst medicine and side effects. After long use with no relief, my body became septic and I nearly died. These reviews are all rosy and do not reflect the negative side. Read Patient reviews, you will be shocked. I have permanent side effects."

• fight...
• June 21, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have psoriatic arthritis last 10 years at the start sulfasalazine did wonders on my rather bigger joints and but after 1 year of use only relieved up to an extend on my finger joints. After 10 years I had multiple disc herniations because my spine got hit by the disease silently and it progressed without giving any signs. So an annual MRI scan is always recommended. I went back to sulfasalazine. Let me give you some tips on sulfasalazine: pros: *well tolerated on most people *medium efficacy *prevents bone and cartilage erosion unlike NSAID's *can be used long term on a sensible dose *your best bet before biologics *liver toxicity lower than methotrexate cons: *efficiency drops after a year. *does not stop disease progress or new joints added. *does not work on spine or axial joints. *works less on smaller joints such as hands. *affect blood count results. *less anti inflammatory than methotrexate"

• Mumof
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) at 44, had nail psoriasis since 14 years old. Forced to stop Methotrexate at week 8 due to hair loss. Switched to Sulfasalazine 7 months ago on 2000mg. 4 months on 2000mg per day but no improvement but also no side effects. At 5 months I developed plantar fasciitis, severe fatigue, apathy, low mood and stiffness throughout my whole body. I was told it was the PsA. I put on a stone in weight - I am 5ft 2ins and normally weigh 9 stone. I felt and moved like a woman twice my age. I gave up on sulfasalazine a week ago. The next day, I felt a different person, and have felt better again with each passing day. Fatigue has gone, mood lifted, stiffness lessened and the joint pain significantly reduced. Whilst I still have some joint pain, stiffness and sore feet, I am significantly better in myself since coming off this drug. I start Otezla tomorrow."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I had a shocking experience with Sufasalazine. For five weeks, the drug did nothing- swelling in my foot remained the same. At the end of week 5, it wiped out my white cells completely (neutropenia/agranulocytosis), which essentially caused my body to die. It caused a very large necrotic abscess (necrotising fasciitis) for which I needed two emergency surgeries, and all my systems were affected (cardiac/digestive etc). I was very close to becoming septic and it was thought I might need a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately, I didn't, however, I was put in to hospital isolation for weeks, and spent months in and out of hospital stays, hooked up to IV antibiotics, blood transfusions etc. Then I had a year long journey of recovery (post surgical wound, hair fell out, 'odd' skin problems that I'd never had before). Fortunately, my digestive and cardiac issues seem to have fixed themselves with time. Still dealing with many immune issues that I'd never had before this saga."

• Penny
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Was on this drug sulfasalazine for RA, although the real problem was severe carpel tunnel in both wrists. Two month after starting the drug my blood tests started showing liver damage, I am now awaiting a liver biopsy. Little improvement in liver damage after 8 weeks off the drug."

• eric
• May 24, 2013

For Crohn's Disease "I tried Lialda, Pentasa, and a few other medicines for my moderate Crohn's Disease and they all made it worse. I tried Sulfasalazine and I am symptom free as long as I don't forget to take any doses. If I miss a dosage I may have some loose stool but after I go back to taking it I once again am symptom free."

• Andy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "This worked great for about 10 days, then I started getting nerve pain and had to discontinue, but it completely cured my Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis after just ten days! I was symptom free for almost two years. Things started drifting back again and I used it at lower doses, it always helps some, but I just can't stay on it due to the nerve pain in my legs."

• Marty
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been dealing with RA (Ankylosing Spondylitis) for about 30 years. My medications have run the gamut from A to Z. The last medicine was Humira, which ended up giving me Hodgkins Lymphoma and 6 months of chemotherapy to put it in remission. I am now back to square one and was prescribed Sulfasalazine. A few weeks after taking it I noticed constant nausea, ringing in my ears, hair loss and constipation with no relief for my swollen knees. I am done being a guinea pig for these pharmaceutical companies and am looking at a natural approach using a strict diet, turmeric and other natural compounds to manage this. No more science experiments for me."

• sarah...
• April 7, 2014

Sulfazine (sulfasalazine) for Ulcerative Colitis "I have been taking this medication for a while now, along with Azathioprine and Prednisone. Just today I stopped the Prednisone, after decreasing by a half each week. I experienced some remission of the Prednisone after I was at 2 and 1/2 pills, and bumped it back up to 5. I haven't experienced any bad side effects of the Sulfazine, and my only complaint is that it is really chalky. I am 13, and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis almost a year ago."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "This medicine has completely turned my life around! Just when I was losing hope I started this medication 1000mg 4 times a day. I went from having severe gas pain, blood, mucas, a lot of BM, and uncomfortable distended stomach after I ate to EVERY symptom GONE after the first month of taking this medication! The only side effect I've experienced is the first few days of starting the medicine I had really bad stomach upset but after day 4 my body started to adjust and I had my first normal BM in almost a year! I also get headaches randomly but ibuprofen always knocks it out. Totally worth giving it a shot!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 14, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Needed 2500mg per day to get to a comfortable level of my wide spread enthesitis. This worked better than methotrexate 20mg injections. Cyclosporin and Leflunomide had even less benefit. No side effects."

• ljerr...
• February 1, 2016

For Crohn's Disease "I've only been taking this for 2 1/2 weeks but I'm very impressed that my chronic loose stools have completely stopped! I've noticed no negative side effects and if mild constipation is a side effect, I welcome it. I am now taking a little less loperamide and I'll be experimenting to see if increasing dosages of sulfasalizine will enable me to take even less loperamide. Later I'll get blood tests to make sure the new drug isn't having negative effects that I don't notice. After all these years dealing with diarrhea, I'm so grateful my doc suggested I try this stuff!"

• Rojin
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started this medication because my liver levels was high. Took for a month notice no change in my RA. Finally had to stop this sulfasalazine.....totally constipated me really bad. Took a week just to go, had stomach pain, sweating, and thought I was going to explode!! Back to taking ibuprophen. "

• KAH
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2019

"After 6 months of severe flare ups primarily in hands, knees and shoulders, I was diagnosed with Seronegative Spondyloarthritis. After the first month on sulfasalazine with basically no relief, I started getting great results. Only been on this for 2 months but have have had virtually no flares up for 4 weeks. Truly hope it continues and hope for good results for anyone facing these conditions. I had no idea how nasty RA and similar conditions were until I got it myself."

• Mike...
• February 1, 2017

For Crohn's Disease "My doc said, "let's try sulfafalazine ".So we did, and I've been on 1000mg three times a day. Don't even realize I have Crohns disease most of the time. (Recommended). There is that other part where everyone gets a different reaction thoe..... ."

• Seaho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Have been on sulfasalazine now for approx 6 weeks, 2000mg/day. Not seeing much improvement, joints still swell badly. Pain in shoulder kept me awake tonight. Acid reflux, which I had prior to this medication, has significantly worsened. Overall not pleased with sulfasalazine."