Sulfasalazine (Formulary)

Important: Therapy notes

• Regular monitoring is required, refer to DMARD monitoring.
• Advise patients receiving sulfasalazine to report any unexplained bleeding, bruising, purpura, sore throat, fever or malaise that occurs during treatment.
• Perform a blood count and stop the drug if there is suspicion of a blood dyscrasia.
• Note that enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets are preferred in rheumatoid arthritis patients because they cause less nausea and fewer gastro-intestinal side-effects than standard tablets.
• For NHS Highland Rheumatology Department GP and Patient information click here (NHSH intranet access required)