Sulfasalazine (Oral Route, Rectal Route)

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Proper Use

Do not give sulfasalazine to infants and children up to 2 years of age, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. It may cause brain problems.

Sulfasalazine is best taken right after meals or with food to lessen stomach upset. If stomach upset continues or is bothersome, check with your doctor.

Each dose of sulfasalazine should also be taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects of the sulfa medicine.

For patients taking the enteric-coated tablet form of this medicine:

• Swallow tablets whole. Do not break or crush.

Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For prevention or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease:
  • For oral dosage forms (tablets, enteric-coated tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers—To start, 500 milligrams (mg) to 1000 mg (1 gram) every six to eight hours. Your doctor may then decrease the dose to 500 mg every six hours. Later, your doctor may change your dose as needed.
    • Children 2 years of age and over—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
      • To start, the dose is usually:
        • 6.7 to 10 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.05 to 4.55 mg per pound) of body weight every four hours or
        • 10 to 15 mg per kg (4.55 to 6.82 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours or
        • 13.3 to 20 mg per kg (6.05 to 9.09 mg per pound) of body weight every eight hours.
      • Then, the dose is usually 7.5 mg per kg (3.41 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours.
    • Infants and children up to 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.
  • For rectal dosage form (enema):
    • Adults and teenagers—3 grams (1 unit), used rectally as directed, every night.
    • Children 2 years of age and over—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Infants and children up to 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.
• For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:
  • For oral dosage forms (tablets, enteric-coated tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers—To start, 500 mg to 1000 mg (1 gram) daily. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed, but the dose is generally not more than 3000 mg (3 grams) a day.
    • For children ages 6 and over—30 to 50 mg per kg of body weight daily, divided into two doses. The medicine is usually started at a lower amount and gradually increased to the actual amount over a month. Typically the amount that is needed does not exceed 2 grams per day. The dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Infants and children up to 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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