General Information on Azulfidine
Azulfidine is a multi-purpose medication used for the management of disorders like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease among adults and children above 6 years. In addition, doctors prescribe to buy Azulfidine for managing rheumatoid arthritis in adults and juvenile arthritis in children. Sulfasalazine is the generic name of this medication, which belongs to the class of aminosalicylates.
Azulfidine works by reducing the chemicals responsible for causing inflammation. It should be noted that the medication doesn’t cure any of the above-mentioned diseases, but alleviates the symptoms related to them. The tablets are available in the strength of Azulfidine 500 mg and are for the oral administration purpose.
The following inactive ingredients are present in Azulfidine tablets:
- Povidone
- Acetone
- Talc
- Cellulose acetate
- Silicon dioxide
- White wax
- Propylene glycol
- Glyceryl monostearate
- Alcohol
- Magnesium stearate
- Carnauba wax
Side effects of Azulfidine
Patients suffering from porphyria, urinary obstruction, intestinal blockage and folate deficiency anemia are not prescribed to take Azulfidine. The medication is not fit for the patients who have a known hypersensitivity towards salicylates and sulfonamides.
Patients must discuss with their doctor the various health conditions they had suffered from in the past. The most important of these health conditions include:
- Asthma
- Kidney diseases
- Liver problems
- Infections and allergies
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
- Blood disorders
Patients must know in advance about the possible side effects that Azulfidine may cause. Side effects that are less serious and may or may not require medical attention are:
- Loss of appetite
- Mild nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Spinning sensations and feeling of ringing
- Sleeping trouble
- Mild skin rashes
- White patches inside the mouth
- Vomiting and stomach upset
The medication may also cause more serious side effects that may demand adjustment of dose. Refer to the doctor if any of the following side effects occur:
- Pale skin
- Jaundice
- Sore throat
- Reduced urination or painful sensation while passing urine
- Fever or flu symptoms
- Red skin rash
- Bruising
If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, buy Azulfidine only if your doctor prescribes the medication after knowing your plans. The medication contains drugs that may be harmful for the unborn baby. Nursing mothers should also strictly follow the doctor’s instructions as the medication has been proved to get excreted in the human milk.
Dosage of Azulfidine
For ulcerative colitis in adults, the prescribed initial dose varies between 3-4 g per day divided into 2-3 doses. Maintenance dose is usually 2 g administered in 4 doses per day.
For ulcerative colitis in children, the prescribed daily initial dose varies between 40-60 mg per kg divided into 3-6 doses. Maintenance dose is usually 30 mg per kg administered in 4 doses per day.
For Crohn’s disease in adults, the prescribed daily initial dose varies between 3-6 g and the maintenance dose is usually between 1.5-3 g.
For Crohn’s disease in children, the prescribed daily dose varies between 25-40 mg per kg. The maximum dose per day should not exceed 4 g.
For rheumatoid arthritis in adults, the prescribed daily dose varies between 2-3 g that should be divided into 2 equal doses.
For juvenile arthritis in children, the prescribed daily dose varies between 30-50 mg per kg. The maximum dosage per day should not exceed 2 g.
Interactions
Azulfidine should not be administered along with the following medications, unless prescribed by the doctor, to avoid the possibility of drug interactions:
- Anticoagulants
- Digoxin
- Iron medications
- Folic acid and other beta-blockers
- Anti-diabetic medications
- Methotrexate
