Sulphasalazine Pharmacology

Sulphasalazine

About Sulphasalazine
Composed of 5-aminosalicylic acid and sulfapyridine, Anti-infective (in inflammatory bowel disease),Anti arthritic.
Mechanism of Action of Sulphasalazine
Sulfasalazine exerts its anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting lipoxygenase enzyme. This will leads to decreased production of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes (LTB4) and 5-hydroxy eicosa tetra enoic acids (HETE) in the intestinal wall. It inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators like interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha etc
Pharmacokinets of Sulphasalazine
Absorption: Sulphasalazine is poorly absorbed after oral administration and also after rectal administration.
Distribution: It is uniformly distributed over the inflamed intestinal mucosa. Small amount of the drug is distributed in protein bound form in the systemic circulation. Sulfasalazine and its metabolites cross the placenta.
Metabolism: It is rapidly metabolised by azoreductase enzyme in the intestinal mucosal wall to 5 amino salicylic acid and Sulfapyridine.
Excretion: Absorbed Sulfasalazine is excreted mainly in the urine.
Onset of Action for Sulphasalazine
1- 3 weeks
Duration of Action for Sulphasalazine
12 hours
Half Life of Sulphasalazine
6 - 8 hours
Side Effects of Sulphasalazine
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhoea
4. Abdominal pain
5. Headache
6. Anorexia
7. Pruritis
8. Erythema
9. Rash
10. Fever
11. Dizziness
12. Tinnitus
13. Hypersensitivity reaction
14. Bone marrow depression
15. Blood dyscrasias
16. Stevens-Johnson syndrome



Contra-indications of Sulphasalazine
1. Hypersensitivity to Sulphasalazine and other salicylates.
Special Precautions while taking Sulphasalazine
1. Hepatic impairment
2. Renal impairment
3. Blood dyscrasia
4. G6PD deficiency
5. Asthma
Pregnancy Related Information
Use with caution
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Use with caution
Children Related Information
Below 2 years : contraindicated
Indications for Sulphasalazine
1. Ulcerative colitis
2. Crohn`s disease
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
4. Diarrhea
Interactions for Sulphasalazine
Folic acid : Signs of folic deficiency with sulphasalazine.
Digoxin : Possibly reduced efficacy of digoxin.
Typical Dosage for Sulphasalazine
Oral: Dose should be adjusted according to the patient`s response and tolerance to the drug.
Adult:
Ulcerative colitis, Crohn`s disease: 1 g 3 - 4 times daily usually after meals
Maintenance dose: 2 g / day in 4 divided doses should continue indefinitely.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Initial dose: 1 g / day for 3-5 days, then gradually increase the dose up to 3 g/ day
Children above 2 years: Ulcerative colitis, Crohn`s disease: 40 - 60 mg / kg body weight / day in 3 - 6 divided doses. Maintenance dose: 20 - 30 mg / kg body weight / day in 3 - 6 divided doses
Schedule of Sulphasalazine
H
Storage Requirements for Sulphasalazine
Store at 15 - 30 degree C. Protect from heat and direct light. Keep out of the reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Sulphasalazine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Sulphasalazine
Give supportive measures and symptomatic treatment. Drug can be removed from the body by gastric lavage or by inducing emesis. Dialysis can be done if necessary.

Home Delivery for Sulphasalazine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including sulphasalazine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for sulphasalazine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for sulphasalazine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take sulphasalazine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for sulphasalazine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for sulphasalazine with the pharmacy.

Sulphasalazine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for sulphasalazine might be better known than sulphasalazine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have sulphasalazine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for sulphasalazine.