sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum) and also to maintain improvement of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Sulfasalazine delayed-release (Azulfidine EN-tabs) is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults whose disease has not responded well to other medications or could not be tolerated. Sulfasalazine delayed-release (Azulfidine EN-tabs) is also used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA; a type of childhood arthritis that affects five or more joints during the first six months of the condition, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) in children who have not been helped by other medications. Sulfasalazine is in a class of medications called anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by reducing inflammation (swelling) inside the body.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking sulfasalazine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
It is not known whether sulfasalazine can make it harder for a woman to get pregnant. One study of women with rheumatoid arthritis taking sulfasalazine before pregnancy did not find that it took them longer to conceive compared with women with RA not taking sulfasalazine. In men, some studies have reported lower sperm counts and reduced sperm motility while taking sulfasalazine, which can affect male fertility; any concerns about fertility are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
Does taking sulfasalazine increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. According to the fact sheet, one study of 531 women taking sulfasalazine during pregnancy did not report an increased chance of miscarriage. Individual questions about miscarriage risk should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Does taking sulfasalazine increase the risk of birth defects?
In studies of more than 950 women taking sulfasalazine alone or with other medications during pregnancy, no increased chance of birth defects was reported. One study suggested a possible association with heart defects and cleft lip and/or palate when sulfasalazine or similar medications were used, but it did not account for the underlying condition being treated, making it hard to know if the medication, the condition, or other factors were involved. Because sulfasalazine can affect folic acid levels, it is important to talk with a healthcare provider about how much folic acid is right for you.
Can taking sulfasalazine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
It is not known whether sulfasalazine increases the chance of other pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery or low birth weight. There was a theoretical concern that sulfasalazine could raise newborn bilirubin levels and lead to jaundice or kernicterus, but in studies of more than 1,800 newborns exposed to sulfasalazine or similar medications, no increased risk of jaundice or kernicterus was reported. Letting healthcare providers know about sulfasalazine use helps ensure the baby receives appropriate monitoring if symptoms occur.
Can taking sulfasalazine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
According to the fact sheet, studies have not been done to see if sulfasalazine can increase the chance of behavior or learning problems in the child. Questions about long-term child development are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking sulfasalazine?
Sulfasalazine passes into breast milk in small amounts and is not expected to cause side effects in most infants. Infants with a weakened immune system or with G6PD deficiency may be more likely to experience side effects, and diarrhea and bloody stools have uncommonly been reported in nursing infants exposed through breast milk. Any symptoms in the infant should be reported to the child's healthcare provider, and breastfeeding decisions should be made together with your own healthcare provider.
Source: National Library of Medicine
sulfasalazine