I have a diagnosis of two auto-immune diseases; Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In this video I talk about a new medication I have just started; Sulfasalazine. Sulfasalazine is a Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD). It’s the first DMARD I have ever been on to treat my auto-immune conditions.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a DR or a qualified health professional. I am making these videos as a patient blogging about my experience of living with these diseases in an attempt to help others living with similar diseases. I am not attempting to give medical advice - just to share my story.

I recently filmed a video where I discussed a new diagnosis (IBD). I’ll link this below and in the description box.

HERE IS THE LINK: [ Ссылка ]

Sulfasalazine a Milder DMARD than some others. Can be used alone or in combination of other DMARDs. Reduces joint pain, swelling stiffness. I’m currently taking Sulfasalazine alongside a medication which I was on beforehand called Celecoxib.

Celecoxib belongs to a different group of drugs called Non Steriodal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). I’ll link below a video where I explain how NSAIDs work in more detail.

HERE IS THE LINK: [ Ссылка ]

As I said I’m still taking Celecoxib. This is because Sulfasalazine is a slow-acting drug. Patients typically start to notice a benefit after 6-8 weeks although it can take up to 6 months before people feel the full effects of the Sulfasalazine.

Sulfasalazine also belongs to a group of drugs called Sulfonamides (sulfa-drugs). These are drugs that are derived from sulfanilamide, a sulfur-containing chemical. Most sulfonamides are antibiotics, but some are prescribed for treating rheumatic conditions or IBD, such as Sulfasalazine.

There are quite a few possible side-effects that people can develop on Sulfasalazine - because of this the dosage of medication is built up over time. I took 500mg once a day for two weeks, before increasing to two 500mg tablets a day. Some people may continue to increase their dosage over time (most people wouldn’t be on more than 4000mg a day, depending on the condition they are taking it for). (1)

Side effects:
- Some people are allergic to sulfa-based drugs and may come out in a rash or have another allergic reaction. My rheumatologist advised me to stop taking the medication immediately if this happens.
- As I said Sulfasalazine is a DMARD. Part of the way that DMARDs work is by suppressing the immune system. This means that the inflammation levels in the body are lowered and inflammatory auto-immune conditions can be treated; but it can also make people more susceptible to getting ill as the immune system may not be functioning as efficiently. It can also reduce white blood cell count. Because of this, when I’m first starting this medication, I have to get regular blood tests to check inflammatory markers in the body, blood cell counts and liver and kidney function.
- One side effect that I definitely noticed when I first started taking Sulfasalazine is that I developed quite a few mouth ulcers. This was obviously a little bit sore but it seemed to begin to even out after a couple of weeks.
- Another common side effect of Sulfasalazine is nausea. Made me nauseous when I first started taking it, although no vomiting - just reduced appetite. This is slightly better now.
- Sulfasalazine can cause a fever in reaction to the drug. This is sometimes called a ‘drug fever’. I haven’t felt unwell since I have started taking Sulfasalazine, but I have had a persistent high temperature (normally sitting around 38 whenever I’ve taken it). This is something I will be asking my rheumatologist about when I next see him.
- Colour of urine - mine has become a bright yellow / orange colour. This is a normal side effect and nothing to worry about.

There are lots of possible side effects but I’m only going to talk about the ones that I have noticed myself. Medication reacts to every different person differently so please do your research before you begin a new medication and talk to your DRs if you are worried about any possible side effects.

Because Sulfasalazine is a slow acting drug, I haven’t really noticed many benefits yet - but that’s to be expected because I’ve not even been on it a month yet and it can take 6-8 weeks for most people to begin to notice a difference. I’ll try and film an update after I’ve been on it a little longer to talk about the changes I’ve noticed. At the moment I’’m just trusting in the process and taking it in good faith.

Hope you enjoyed the video guys! Please comment below if you also take Sulfasalazine and let me know how you find it! I love reading all your comments and try and reply to each and every one.

Lots of love!
Izzy xxx

REF:
1. [ Ссылка ]

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