Monograph Details
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Musculoskeletal Disorders
> Arthritis/rheumatic disorders
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AZULFIDINE EN-tabs |
| Manufacturer |
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Pfizer Labs |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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DMARD (salicylate-sulfonamide). |
| Generic Name |
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Sulfasalazine 500mg; e-c tabs. |
| Also |
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• AZULFIDINE
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| Indications |
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Rheumatoid arthritis or polyarticular JRA that has responded inadequately to salicylates or other NSAIDs. |
| Children |
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Swallow whole after meals. <6yrs: not recommended. ≥6yrs: initially 1/4 to 1/3 of maintenance dose; increase weekly. Maintenance: 30–50mg/kg per day in 2 evenly divided doses; max 2g/day. |
| Adults |
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Swallow whole after meals. Initially 500mg in the PM for 1 week, then 500mg in the AM & PM for 1 week, then 500mg in the AM and 1g in the PM for 1 week, then 1g in the AM and PM in 2 evenly divided doses. |
| Contraindications |
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Intestinal or urinary obstruction. Porphyria. |
| Precautions |
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Hepatic or renal dysfunction or blood dyscrasias: usually not recommended. Discontinue if toxic or hypersensitivity reactions occur. Severe allergy. Asthma. G6PD deficiency. Lack of intestinal esterases. Monitor CBCs, differential WBC, LFTs before starting, every other week for 1st 3 months, then once monthly for next 3 months, then once every 3 months, renal function, and serum sulfapyridine periodically. Maintain adequate hydration. Continue medication after symptoms controlled. See literature for desensitizing regimen. Pregnancy (Cat.B). Nursing mothers: not recommended. |
| Interactions |
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Reduces absorption of digoxin, folic acid. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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GI upset, rash, headache, fever, dizziness. stomatitis, pruritus, abnormal liver function tests, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, oligospermia, infertility in men, hemolytic anemia, other blood dyscrasias, urine or skin discoloration, cyanosis; CNS, renal, or hypersensitivity reactions. Children: also serum sickness reaction. |
| How Supplied |
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Tabs—100, 300 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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