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Is sulfasalazine made like the other 5asa to by pass the gut?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/21/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I was jw if sulfasalzine is made to dissolve in the colon or is it the gut?
Posted 6/21/2011 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I always refer to my colon as my gut! But I'm thinking you are asking how much is absorbed in the small intestine?

I did a little research and found a study that said 70 - 80% was absorbed in the small intestine.

I also came up with a handy quote: "Sulfasalazine is metabolized by intestinal bacteria, resulting in the release of sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylate."
Posted 6/22/2011 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Sulfasalazine comes in 2 types of tablet: one is round & slightly powdery-- that starts dissolving soon after you swallow it. The other one is a hard, oval-shape that has a slightly glossy enteric coating (EC). The enteric-coated tablet is not supposed to dissolve before it reaches the intestines-- so it should be less disturbing to the stomach. If you feel stomach upset while taking the non-coated sulfasalazine, ask your doc to prescribe the enteric-coated tablet for you. Drink plenty of water while taking sulfasalazine & also make sure your doc gives you a script for folic acid to take daily for as long as you stay on sulfasalazine. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/22/2011 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
ok thanks so much! Maybe I'll opt for the coated kind, I go see my GI on Monday next week.
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