Sulfasalazine Disease Interactions
There are 11 disease interactions with sulfasalazine:
Antibiotics (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Colitis
Severe Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility
Applies to: Colitis/Enteritis (Noninfectious)
Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with most antibacterial agents and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening, with an onset of up to several weeks following cessation of therapy. Antibiotic therapy can alter the normal flora of the colon and permit overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, whose toxin is believed to be a primary cause of antibiotic-associated colitis. The colitis is usually characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and may be associated with the passage of blood and mucus. The most common culprits are clindamycin, lincomycin, the aminopenicillins (amoxicillin, ampicillin), and the cephalosporins. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis. There is some evidence that pseudomembranous colitis, if it occurs, may run a more severe course in these patients and that it may be associated with flares in their underlying disease activity. The offending antibiotic(s) should be discontinued if significant diarrhea occurs during therapy. Stool cultures for Clostridium difficile and stool assay for C. difficile toxin may be helpful diagnostically. A large bowel endoscopy may be considered to establish a definitive diagnosis in cases of severe diarrhea.
Sulfasalazine (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Intestinal Obstruction
Severe Potential Hazard, High plausibility
Applies to: Intestinal Obstruction
The use of sulfasalazine is contraindicated in patients with intestinal obstruction. Approximately one-third of orally administered sulfasalazine is systemically absorbed from the small intestine, while the majority is metabolized by intestinal bacteria to 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) that remains in the colonic lumen and gets excreted in the feces.
Sulfonamides (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Hematologic Toxicity
Severe Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility
Applies to: Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
The use of sulfonamides has been associated with hematologic toxicity, including methemoglobinemia, sulfhemoglobinemia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, purpura, clotting disorder, thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, and hypoprothrombinemia. Acute dose-related hemolytic anemia may occur during the first week of therapy due to sensitization or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, while chronic hemolytic anemia may occur with prolonged use. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias or bone marrow suppression. Complete blood counts should be obtained regularly, especially during prolonged therapy (>2 weeks), and patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggestive of blood dyscrasia such as fever, sore throat, local infection, bleeding, pallor, dizziness, or jaundice.
Sulfonamides (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Hypersensitivity Reactions
Severe Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility
Applies to: Asthma, Allergies, HIV Infection
The use of sulfonamides is associated with large increases in the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and other serious dermatologic reactions, although these phenomena are rare as a whole. Hepatitis, pneumonitis, and interstitial nephritis have also occurred in association with sulfonamide hypersensitivity. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with severe allergies, bronchial asthma or AIDS, since these patients may be at increased risk for potentially severe hypersensitivity reactions. Patients should be instructed to promptly report signs and symptoms that may precede the onset of cutaneous manifestations of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, such as high fever, severe headache, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urethritis, and balantitis. Sulfonamide therapy should be stopped at once if a rash develops.
Sulfonamides (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Liver Disease
Severe Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility
Applies to: Liver Disease
Hepatotoxicity, including jaundice, diffuse hepatocellular necrosis, hypersensitivity hepatitis and hepatic failure, has rarely been reported in patients receiving sulfonamides. In addition, sulfonamides are partially metabolized by the liver and may accumulate in patients with hepatic impairment. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease.
Sulfonamides (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Porphyria
Severe Potential Hazard, High plausibility
Applies to: Porphyria
The use of sulfonamides is contraindicated in patients with porphyria, since these drugs can precipitate an acute attack.
Sulfonamides (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Renal Dysfunction
Severe Potential Hazard, High plausibility
Applies to: Renal Dysfunction
Sulfonamides and their metabolites are eliminated by the kidney. Patients with renal impairment may be at greater risk for adverse effects from sulfonamides due to decreased drug clearance. Dosage adjustments may be necessary and modifications should be based on the degree of renal impairment and severity of infection. Additionally, sulfonamides may cause renal toxicity secondary to crystalluria, including uro- and nephrolithiasis, nephritis, toxic nephrosis, hematuria, proteinuria, and elevated BUN and creatinine. Hydration (8 oz. glass of water with each dose and throughout the day) and adequate urinary output (> 1.5 L/day) should be maintained during sulfonamide administration. Renal function tests and urinalysis should be performed weekly or as often as indicated by the patient's status. Rarely, alkalinization of the urine is necessary.
Mesalamine (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Renal Dysfunction
Moderate Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility
Applies to: Renal Dysfunction
The use of mesalamine and other compounds which contain or are converted to mesalamine has rarely been associated with renal adverse effects, including minimal change nephropathy, acute and chronic interstitial nephritis, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Renal lesions such as renal infarct, papillary necrosis, tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis have been reported in high-dose animal studies. Therapy with mesalamine and prodrugs of mesalamine should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired renal function or a history of renal disease. Renal function should be evaluated prior to initiation of therapy and periodically during therapy.
Sulfasalazine (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Folate Deficiency
Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility
Applies to: Anemia Associated with Folate Deficiency, Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency
Sulfasalazine may interfere with the absorption of dietary folic acid. Folate deficiency and megaloblastic anemia have been reported. Therapy with sulfasalazine should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting folate deficiency or anemia secondary to folate deficiency. Folic acid supplementation (1 mg/day) is recommended in all patients during prolonged therapy.
Sulfonamides (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Crystalluria
Moderate Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility
Applies to: Dehydration, Diarrhea, Vomiting
Crystalluria can occur during sulfonamide therapy due to precipitation of the sulfonamide and/or its N4-acetyl metabolite in the urinary tract. Renal toxicity such as uro- and nephrolithiasis, nephritis, toxic nephrosis, hematuria, proteinuria, and elevated BUN and creatinine has been reported. Hydration (8 oz. glass of water with each dose and throughout the day) and adequate urinary output (> 1.5 L/day) should be maintained during sulfonamide administration. Patients who are dehydrated (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be at increased risk for the development of crystalluria and lithiasis and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid or given intravenous fluid. Renal function tests and urinalysis should be performed weekly during prolonged therapy (> 2 weeks). Rarely, alkalinization of the urine is necessary.
Sulfonamides (Includes Sulfasalazine) ↔ Urinary Obstruction
Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility
Applies to: Urinary Retention
Sulfonamides are excreted and concentrated in the urine. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with urinary obstruction or retention, since excessive drug accumulation may occur. These patients may also be at increased risk for sulfonamide crystalluria, which may be associated with renal toxicity such as uro- and nephrolithiasis, nephritis, toxic nephrosis, hematuria, proteinuria, and elevated BUN and creatinine. A urinary output of at least 1.5 L/day should be maintained during sulfonamide administration. Renal function tests and urinalysis should be performed weekly, especially during prolonged therapy (> 2 weeks).
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sulfasalazine drug Interactions
There are 242 drug interactions with sulfasalazine
See also...
Drug Interaction Classification
The classifications below are a general guideline only. It is difficult to determine the relevance of a particular drug interaction to any individual given the large number of variables.
| Major | Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. |
| Moderate | Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. |
| Minor | Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. |
Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
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