Sulfasalazine vs. Mesalazine

m-dot

Regular Member

Joined : Dec 2009

Posts : 72

Posted 12/20/2009 5:54 AM (GMT 0)

Hi there guys.

I was put on Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin) 10 years ago when I was first diagnosed with moderate UC to 25cm. It worked very well and within 6 months I was totally fine - I slowly withdrew from taking any medication as I was asymptomatic.

I recently started to flare three months ago and after trying the Sulfasalazine (Pyralin EN), I had moderate problems with side effects. I was placed by my GI onto Mesalazine (Salofalk) which has no side effects at all. The only drama is that I dont think its working that well.

Is there anyone out there who understands if the active ingredient or delivery of the drugs (Sulfasalazine vs Mesalazine) are any different?

Apologies if Im asking a dumb question!

Cheers

mumbles

Regular Member

Joined : Dec 2008

Posts : 199

Posted 12/20/2009 7:33 AM (GMT 0)

Both the drugs active elements are the same. If you look at the chemical structure of both, the active part of sulfasalazine is actually mesalazine. So it makes sense why it has less side effects, since mesalazine is only the active part. But it probably won't be better or worse in actively helping your symptoms because they work in the same way.

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 33769

Posted 12/20/2009 8:26 AM (GMT 0)

We all seem to have some variances regarding what meds work better compared to others.

You should, however, also be on rectal meds. Since you took Salofalk pills, I would suggest the Salofalk retention enemas.

q

kazygirl

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 955

Posted 12/20/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)

mesalasine was made for those who are intolerant to the sulfur in sulfasalasine.
its more expensive and you have to actually not be able to take sulfasalasine to even get a script for mesalasine.
(this is in australia)

they are pretty much the same but one doesnt have tthe sulfur

Petar

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2018

Posts : 55

Posted 9/4/2018 5:51 AM (GMT 0)

Revive this topic haha.
Sulfa works for me but it does affect the sperm... In my case also libido but the doctor said it's in my head... But well, is not!
Salofalk gave me a flare with cramps... I'm not sure if something else triggered those and it just happened at the same time... I'm willing to give Salofalk a try again in the future as it doesn't affect all the male stuff...supposedly!

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