# Sulfasalazine, in 25 words or less **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [May 12, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593 "2016-05-12T19:00:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Seenie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/seenie/32/4466_2.png) [@Seenie](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Seenie)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/1 "2016-05-12T19:00:50Z")
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**_)_ **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _?_ **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _?_ ---
**Author:** ![amielynn38](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/amielynn38/32/6153_2.png) [@amielynn38](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/amielynn38)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/2 "2016-05-12T19:34:41Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _?_ _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._ ---
**Author:** ![Seenie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/seenie/32/4466_2.png) [@Seenie](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Seenie)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/3 "2016-05-12T19:36:02Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _? 3-4 months_ **What good did it do you** _? Nothing_ **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_) None at all_ **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _? Didn't work_ **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _? Went on to leflunomide._ ---
**Author:** ![Sybil](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/sybil/32/2415_2.png) [@Sybil](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Sybil)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/4 "2016-05-12T20:36:14Z")
Exactly as above! Seenie said: > **About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _? 3-4 months_ > > **What good did it do you** _? Nothing_ > > **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_) None at all_ > > **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _? Didn't work_ > > **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _? Went on to leflunomide._ ---
**Author:** ![Aspyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/aspyn/32/4275_2.png) [@Aspyn](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Aspyn)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 2:15am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/5 "2016-05-13T02:15:22Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _?_ **Been on it 2 months** **What good did it do you** _?_ **Took pain in arms, hands, legs and feet away** **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_)_ **No** **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _?_ **Rare nausea** **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _?_ **Still on it** ---
**Author:** ![Ali1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/ali1/32/1648_2.png) [@Ali1](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Ali1)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 9:00am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/6 "2016-05-14T09:00:15Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _?_ _Been on it about 2.5 years_ **What good did it do you** _?_ _I get some benefit alongside humira. Helps with hands. Added bonus-seems to have greatly improved my Roacea_ **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_)_ _None-yellow pee dealt with by drinking lots of water_ **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _?_ _Just the twice daily pill routine_ **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _?_ _Still on it, because both myself and my rheumatologist feel I get some benefit from it_ ---
**Author:** ![Minx34](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/minx34/32/2056_2.png) [@Minx34](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Minx34)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/7 "2016-05-14T21:36:39Z")
**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_ ---
**Author:** ![TheOncomingStorm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/theoncomingstorm/32/2260_2.png) [@TheOncomingStorm](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/TheOncomingStorm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/8 "2016-05-14T21:59:42Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _?_ _About three weeks_ **What good did it do you** _?_ _None at all_ **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._ ---
**Author:** ![Corrie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/corrie/32/5983_2.png) [@Corrie](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Corrie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/9 "2016-05-14T22:18:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/buttercup/32/2678_2.png) [@Buttercup](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Buttercup)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/10 "2016-05-14T22:27:04Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _? 2+ years_ **What good did it do you** _? Helped greatly to eliminate my Krohns disease issues and rashes_ **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_) None_ **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _? Remembering to take three pills twice daily with food_ **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _? Yes_ ---
**Author:** ![Scooby](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/scooby/32/2677_2.png) [@Scooby](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Scooby)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 8:54am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/11 "2016-05-15T08:54:13Z")
On it about 8months made no difference very bad on my stomach and that's why I no longer take it ---
**Author:** ![JDT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/jdt/32/1462_2.png) [@JDT](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/JDT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 11:20am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/12 "2016-05-15T11:20:06Z")
About how long were you on sulfasalazine? Not long, was the first med I was put on at diagnosis. What good did it do you? None Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief) headaches and nausea Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine? No improvement of symptoms and side effects Are you still on it, or why did you quit? Was taken off due to side effects and put on methotrexate. ---
**Author:** ![susie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/susie/32/595_2.png) [@susie](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/susie)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 11:49am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/13 "2016-05-15T11:49:24Z")
Hi I was on Sulfasalazine for a very short time as I reacted to the drug no as I had a serious reaction and can no longer take any of those kind of drugs didnt tolerate them at all was very sick vomiting diahorra and was admitted to hospital the sickness & size of table I quit because of the side affects ---
**Author:** ![Elle](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/elle/32/736_2.png) [@Elle](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Elle)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/14 "2016-05-15T12:31:57Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Juniper](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/juniper/32/770_2.png) [@Juniper](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Juniper)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/15 "2016-05-15T14:14:01Z")
Been on Sulphasalazine for 20 years, took some getting used to but persevering was worth it :) ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_G](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/jules_g/32/3938_2.png) [@Jules\_G](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Jules_G)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/16 "2016-05-15T17:31:44Z")
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, s**** topped a couple of days into fourth week. Severe side effects, docs decided I had adverse sensitivity to sulfa drugs.** ---
**Author:** ![uk\_exile](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/uk_exile/32/2362_2.png) [@uk\_exile](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/uk_exile)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/17 "2016-05-15T21:03:43Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _? 6months_ **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_ ---
**Author:** ![Doglover\_in\_FL](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/doglover_in_fl/32/2667_2.png) [@Doglover\_in\_FL](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Doglover_in_FL)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/18 "2016-05-16T12:23:30Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _?_ _2 weeks_ **What good did it do you** _?_ _not enough time to find out_ **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_)_ _I am Type 1 with hypoglycemic unaware and it can drop your BG quickly.Also nauseous all the time. Dr took me off._ **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _?_ _Ref to above comment._ **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _?_ _No I am not on it. See above comments again._ ---
**Author:** ![D-man](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/d-man/32/4109_2.png) [@D-man](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/D-man)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/19 "2016-05-16T14:00:56Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _? 15 weeks_ **What good did it do you** _? nothing if anything got worse_ **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_) none_ **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _? not really worst, just didnt work_ **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _? see above_ ---
**Author:** ![Appygirl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/appygirl/32/2030_2.png) [@Appygirl](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Appygirl)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593/20 "2016-05-16T19:56:54Z")
**About how long were you on sulfasalazine** _?_ _Close to two years_ **What good did it do you** _?_ _It helps with fatigue, swelling, and pain_ **Did you have intolerable side effects? (Keep it brief**_)_ _No_ **Worst thing about taking sulfasalazine** _?_ _I bruise really, really, really easy_ **Are you still on it, or why did you quit** _?_ _Still on it and will remain on it for as long as possible. It is a very low priced medication, which I am thankful for._ [Next page](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/sulfasalazine-in-25-words-or-less/4593.md?page=2)