Sulfasalazine and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Dbe...
• March 7, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Have been on sulfasalazine for a year since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I am grateful to have it since other medicines aren't an option for me due to unexplained elevated liver enzymes. It has helped the pain of rheumatoid arthritis quite a lot and my inflammation has gone down. I just wish it addressed the fatigue."

• Eda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I reacted poorly to sulfasalazine. My fiancée expressed that it had some weird cognitive effects on me, as if I were on heavy opioids or recovering from anesthesia. For my part, I felt like I was moving through molasses for the four months I was on it. I got really fatigued regularly, too, and experienced tightness in my chest that left me after I stopped the drug. It didn't provide much relief."

• Iss...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started on 0.5 g/day (1 tab) and increased the dose weekly until I reached a max dose of 3 g/day (6 tabs). At first, I thought it wasn't working at all because my pain never improved, but eventually, I realized that brand new symptoms were presenting in new joints and that I was now also experiencing awful muscle spasms (in my calves, fingers, and toes) - I had never had this problem before. My fatigue also became more and more severe... Eventually, nearly 4 months after starting treatment, I stopped this awful drug... Sadly, 1 month later, I am still struggling with the aftereffects. What a terrible, terrible drug this is."

• Hum...
• 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."

• Mum...
• 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."

• Jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Started sulfasalazine three weeks ago. I have been feeling quite ill, flu-like, drained of energy. Mornings are like the worst hangover feeling. My joints are never like before, with constant pain. Tiredness never leaves me. Some diarrhea. Is this drug for me?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2018

"Have been taking sulfasalazine for about two months for spondyloarthritis. Not only has it made no difference to joint/muscle pain, but it has severely worsened my fatigue. I feel like I have the flu constantly. Also causing terrible thirst. Hoping things will improve with time, but so far not at all encouraging."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Went on sulfasalazine for my UC after having allergic reactions to mesalamine. Started with one pill twice a day to see how I’d tolerate it, and got up to two pills twice a day. This never helped my symptoms, never eased the bleeding, and after about 2 weeks on the full dose, I developed a fever, body aches, and felt extremely fatigued. No other symptoms. After three days, I called my doctor, who said to stop the drug immediately. I didn’t take my evening pills that night, and my fever started to come down that evening, and the next day my fever was almost normal. Two days later, I felt fantastic (now off the drug). I’m using bromelain supplements and fresh pineapple instead; works so far with no side effects."