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Mesalamine or Sulfasalazine?

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Posted 8/17/2012 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I need advice and opinions, please.  I have Chrons Colitis and have been on Humira since February.  Since my diagnosis in 2009, I have been taking mesalamine in the form of Asacol, Lialda and also generics.  But without insurance, the expense is high, even from Canada.  So, my doctor has suggested that I try Sulfasalazine.  It's more affordable and has been on the market longer than the other drugs I have been taking.  I am worried about it's effectiveness and any side effects though.  I know this is the place to go for information and I would appreciate any that I can get.  Thanks guys!
Posted 8/17/2012 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
I take both in generic form. I take balsalazide (generic Colazal) and sulfazine.

Sulfazine can give you headaches and lower your platelets, both side effects I've experienced. It takes a while to build up to the full dosage, too, and you should have regulary blood work to check your platelet count, etc. In my case I am taking it to help relieve joint pain, and that has worked well, so I have no plans to stop taking it (unless my platelet count gets very low).
Posted 8/17/2012 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
^Agreed, good advice. Sulfasalazine is actually thought to be more effective than mesalamine (which may or may not be effective at all). But it also has the potential for more side effects. The fact that it's cheaper is a bonus though. I would definitely try it over the mesalamines, but keep your eye out for side effects, as kazbern said.
Posted 8/19/2012 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
I took azulfidine (sulfazaline) early on in my disease. It worked great. Unfortunately I developed an allergy to all sulfa drugs. It's a good option and is cheaper than the newer drugs. It's been around awhile, and is "tried and true". Watch for the side effects, and you'll be fine :)
Posted 8/20/2012 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Azulfidina was the first med I took post diagnosis. I honestly can not remember how effective it was...I just know I could not leave the house without long sleeves and a hat. I burn easily to start with and this just made me crispier even faster! Other than that I don't remember it.
Posted 8/20/2012 11:59 PM (GMT 0)

       This was the first med I took for my IBD. It was also the first I had to drop PDQ! Too many side-eefects. For some reason, the sulfa content made me have adverse reactions. I did find an effective 5 ASA rx until Pentasa.

       Sincerely,

             Matthew

Posted 1/23/2013 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
kazbern - it is interesting to me that you are taking both balsalazide and sulfazine.  Is this what your dr suggested or did you suggest it to the dr in order to maintain effective levels of 5-ASA but minimizing side effects of sulfasalazine?  I would imagine that most doctors would not prescribe both at the same time.  I am currently taking Lialda (2.4g/day) and am thinking of adding low dose sulfazine (i had positive results of it in the past for my my colitis and arthritis).  Not sure my dr would prescribe both at the same time.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

Posted 1/23/2013 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
My DR came up with this plan. I was taking Pentasa at the time we started sulfazine. I was told to use sulfazine to help with joint pain. I started with .5 g and worked up to 1.5 g. My Pentasa dose remained 3g.

I had to stop taking Pentasa in the summer of '11 because of tinnitus. My GI prescribed balsalazide instead. The combo seems to be working out great.

I hope this is helpful to you!
Posted 1/23/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the feedback!  Very useful to know.  Interesting to me that your dr did not remove other 5-ASA agents when placing you on sulfazine.  I have been thinking of that type of treatment plan for some time.  Time to discuss with my dr.

 

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