Sulfasalazine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2012

Sulfasalazine for Ulcerative Colitis "Upon taking sulfasalazine, I experienced a severe headache, dizziness, bruising on my feet and legs, chills, bloodshot eyes, pain in my joints, hives, and swelling in my face and neck. The headache became so bad I could not get out of bed."

• RRL...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 24, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This sulfasalazine is the fifth or sixth drug my doc put me on. It seems to be helping, but I can still feel my joints getting worse, just not as fast as they were. I had my first knee pains when I was 9 years old. I was told it was just growing pains. IMHO, there is no such thing as growing pains. I have been on sulfasalazine for well over five years now. It does not make me sick, lose my hair, dizzy, or more grumpy than normal...for me anyway. It works well as long as you are not allergic to sulfur."

• Hur...
• 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 rheumatologist as soon as the ringing stops. She suggested an appointment with an 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."

• Sel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "After being on sulfasalazine for 7 weeks, I had continually bad headaches and a spinning sensation. I went to the doctor's, who performed neurological tests. I failed each one and had to go to the hospital. I got worse and was unable to walk. After spending 8 days in the hospital and stopping sulfasalazine, I was able to walk out of the hospital, no headaches, no head spinning. I'm awaiting test results from having an MRI scan, CT scan, and lumbar puncture, but I feel back to normal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2022

For Ulcerative Colitis "Made me incredibly dizzy to the point I had to have my hand touching a wall when I was standing. Even sitting, everything was spinning. That was the worst side effect. The medication didn't have time to work (only on it for a few days) because the side effects were too severe."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2022

For Ulcerative Colitis "Made me incredibly dizzy to the point I had to have my hand touching a wall when I was standing. Even sitting, everything was spinning. That was the worst side effect. The medication didn't have time to work (only on it for a few days) because the side effects were too severe."

• Nan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 25, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I experienced dizziness, nausea, and tinnitus. It has helped my arthritis, but the side effects are making me want to discontinue taking it."

• Wor...
• November 21, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Ended up in ER for falling on concrete, reason: dizziness and drop in red blood cell and more."

• Pam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Dizziness, ringing in ears, insomnia from time to time."