We get asked so often: what is it like to take this DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug) or that. Let's keep this simple: summarize your experience with sulfasalazine. Copy and paste these prompts, and keep it short. If this turns out to be a useful thread, we will do one for each of the four other DMARDs soon.
So, copy and paste and take two minutes:
About how long were you on sulfasalazine?
What good did it do you?
Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief)
Well, let's see... I think it was around 1or 2 months. It was a short time.
What good did it do you?
It did some good. I had less fatigue, and a little less pain.
Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief)
Yes. I found out I am allergic to sulfa drugs. Loss of taste, dizziness, fatigue (sick like), nausea, headaches, and a rash (not psoriasis).
Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine?
The whole allergic thing.
Are you still on it, or why did you quit?
No, I am not taking sulfasalazine. Besides the allergy bit I did like the drug. It did help treat my PsA symptoms. I kept taking it after I should have stopped because I wanted it to work. I saw the benefits.
About how long were you on sulfasalazine? About 6 years!
What good did it do you? Initially it made a big difference to me but after a few years it seemed to have become ineffective
Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief) I had bad nausea for the first 2-3 months so was given anti nausea medication that helped. I was on several other medications at the same time and was always feeling ill so was impossible to say which one was contributing to that!
Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine? Taking 6 tablets (3000mg a day)!
Are you still on it, or why did you quit? I stopped all of my medication last year as I felt so ill I had no idea which drug was causing it...but I also thought the Sulfasalazine had stopped working. After trying all other options previously, my Specialist decided I could move on to the Biological drugs and have been on Cimzia injections since last year...although I have other illnesses to still deal with the Cimzia has been amazing and the twice monthly self injections have made a big difference
Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief)
Vomiting and nausea
Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine?
Throwing up
Are you still on it, or why did you quit?
Doctor stopped it. I was told by a specialist in Canada for whom I was partaking in a drugs test that as far as treatment for PsA goes Sulfasalazine is pretty useless.
I was on Sulfasalazine for one week. My blood count dropped and I got opportunistic bacterial (staff) and viral (herpes Simplex one) infections. I am no longer on it.
About how long were you on sulfasalazine? A year at the beginning of treatment
What good did it do you? It helped with pain quite a bit
Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief) None
Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine? Nothing
Are you still on it, or why did you quit? My arthritis progressed so it stopped working
About how long were you on sulfasalazine? Three weeks and a couple of days.
What good did it do you? None.
Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief) First two weeks nothing. Third week into fourth worsening acid reflux.
Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine? Developing erethyma nodosum on my shins. Very painful!
Are you still on it, or why did you quit? No, stopped a couple of days into fourth week. Severe side effects, docs decided I had adverse sensitivity to sulfa drugs.
What good did it do you? no obvious improvement or worsening
Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief) Yes. Became mentally 'fuzzy'. Difficult to remain involved in conversations. Forgetful in short term. Was though to be due to the sulfasalazine however now looking back perhaps it wasn't
Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine? I'm not a large drinker, typically one or two glasses a week, however around Christmas & New Year festivities time it was difficult to plan ahead so that could keep to the maximum 2 units any day, 4 maximum a week
Are you still on it, or why did you quit? No. Discussed with doctor and decided the mental slowness side effect made sulfasalazine not worth it