Sulfasalazine and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Tol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started on sulfasalazine three months ago. The first four weeks were difficult as I experienced headaches, palpitations, and felt exhausted. I also had severe mouth ulcers and required antibiotic therapy. I found that increasing the dosage weekly was too intense, so I reduced the increase to four weekly and found my body tolerated the increase better. I am now on two in the morning and one in the evening and am starting to see improvement in swelling and flare-ups. I noted that once a flare starts, it is time to increase the dose. I started feeling aches all over this weekend, so I plan to increase to two in the morning and two in the evening. I will update on my progress. NB: I'm in the UK."

• LWa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on this medication for 6 months. Started off with 2 pills a day, then went to 4 pills a day, now on 6 pills a day. Also take 2 Celebrex a day. I'm on/off prednisone when I get flare-ups. Cold temps seem to make my symptoms worse. Sulfasalazine seems to help, but when I have a flare-up, it's bad. Flu symptoms and extremely tired. I don't think the meds help with my fatigue, and that's very frustrating."

• Tdc...
• February 26, 2017

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 weeks. Stopped it two days ago, still not well. Maybe go back to methotrexate."

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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I slowly increased the dose weekly. I was okay on 2 a day, but once increased to 3, my eyesight got a little worse. I reduced them for a 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 the 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 realize just how bad they had affected me until I was back to normal again!"

• 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?"

• Kra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have arthritis pain. I cannot tell you if it has helped with my pain, I still have arthritis pain, but maybe it would be worse without this medicine. I do know I am extremely tired, I believe it is from the medicine. One good side effect is that it has curbed my appetite, really not as hungry as I once was. That I am pleased about because less weight helps with the effects of arthritis."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been using the sulfasalazine medicine for 45 days now, dose 2+0+2 per day. It has reduced my pain significantly, but I feel nauseated, exhausted, and lost my appetite."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 22, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "After taking this med for four years I’m having: digestive distress, itchy skin and rashes, cough and tightness in my chest, losing hair, weakness and extremely tired, tinnitus."