Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Azulfidine.
Chemical Name: SULFASALAZINE (sul-fa-SAL-a-zeen)
Azulfidine 500mg is a salicylate used to treat ulcerative colitis. It is also used to increase the time between attacks of ulcerative colitis. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Azulfidine 500mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), methotrexate, beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), digoxin, folic acid, or methenamine. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including liver or kidney problems, asthma, blood problems (eg, anemia, low white blood cell levels), rheumatoid arthritis, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, an infection (eg, strep throat), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF AZULFIDINE 500mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have the blood disorder porphyria; a stomach, bowel, or urinary tract blockage; or folate deficiency anemia. USE OF AZULFIDINE 500mg IN CHILDREN under 2 years old is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving Azulfidine 500mg to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Azulfidine 500mg.
Follow the directions for using Azulfidine 500mg provided by your doctor. TAKE AZULFIDINE 500mg AFTER MEALS and with a full glass of water. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking Azulfidine 500mg is recommended. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. SPACE YOUR DOSES EVENLY over each 24 hour period. If possible, try not to space any dose more than 8 hours from the next dose. STORE AZULFIDINE 500mg at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. KEEP AZULFIDINE 500mg out of the reach of children and away from pets. Take Azulfidine 500mg regularly to receive the most benefit from it. CONTINUE TO TAKE AZULFIDINE 500mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF AZULFIDINE 500mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE AZULFIDINE 500mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it or if you are allergic to any ingredient in this product, salicylates (eg, aspirin), or sulfonamides (eg, sulfamethoxazole). A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to Azulfidine 500mg, contact your doctor or pharmacist. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including liver function, kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and urine tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using Azulfidine 500mg. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Azulfidine 500mg. Azulfidine 500mg may cause drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Azulfidine 500mg. Using Azulfidine 500mg alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. AZULFIDINE 500mg MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun or sunlamps until you know how you react to Azulfidine 500mg. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. AZULFIDINE 500mg MAY CAUSE a harmless, yellow-orange discoloration of the urine or skin. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU DEVELOP sore throat, fever, unusually pale skin, dark urine, pale stools, persistent stomach pain or loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or unusual bruising or bleeding. Contact your doctor if you have yellowing of the skin along with dark urine, pale stools, or persistent stomach pain or loss of appetite. These could be signs of a serious side effect. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing or tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately and before taking any more of Azulfidine 500mg. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING AZULFIDINE 500mg IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of Azulfidine 500mg. FOR MEN: SOME MEN TAKING AZULFIDINE 500mg HAVE DEVELOPED A DECREASED NUMBER OF SPERM OR INFERTILITY. These effects usually went away after Azulfidine 500mg was stopped. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Azulfidine 500mg during pregnancy. AZULFIDINE 500mg IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Azulfidine 500mg, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Azulfidine 500mg include dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, mild stomach upset or pain, nausea, or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody diarrhea; bluish discoloration of the skin or nails; chest pain; dark urine; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing loss; mental or mood changes; muscle pain; numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes; pale stools; persistent loss of appetite; pinpoint bruises; red, swollen, peeling, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, headache, or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent stomach pain; shortness of breath; trouble walking; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; yellowing of the eyes; yellowing of the skin along with dark urine, pale stools, or persistent loss of appetite. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. An allergic reaction to Azulfidine 500mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Azulfidine
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, unusual or severe drowsiness, and seizures.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few weeks or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE AZULFIDINE 500mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE AZULFIDINE 500mg for other health conditions. IF USING AZULFIDINE 500mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
e-mail a friend about this prescription product
