Alcohol, supplements, and other factors affecting Sulfasalazine's interactions explained.
Sulfasalazine is a widely prescribed medication for managing certain medical conditions, particularly ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It is available in two forms: immediate-release oral tablets and delayed-release oral tablets.
However, it's important to note that certain medical conditions and factors may increase the risk of interactions with sulfasalazine. These include liver or kidney problems, blood cell problems, asthma or severe allergies, allergic reaction to sulfasalazine or similar drugs, glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, breastfeeding, pregnancy, and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Some medications, supplements, and herbal products may also interact with sulfasalazine. For example, it can interact with diabetes medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), azathioprine, cyclosporine, digoxin (Lanoxin), folic acid, methenamine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and alcohol.
In particular, taking sulfasalazine with digoxin can reduce the amount of digoxin absorbed, making it less effective. It's also worth mentioning that sulfasalazine may interfere with certain lab tests, such as liver function tests, creatinine kinase test, glucose levels, thyroxine levels, ammonia levels, and a urine test to look for a tumor called a pheochromocytoma.
If you have had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine, any of its ingredients, or certain similar drugs, your doctor will likely not prescribe sulfasalazine. It's also advisable to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during sulfasalazine treatment, as drinking alcohol may increase the risk of liver and kidney problems.
There aren't any known interactions between sulfasalazine and vaccines, but it's best to discuss any concerns with your doctor. Similarly, while there are no specific reports of herbs interacting with sulfasalazine, it's important to check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal products during treatment.
Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabidiol (CBD) have not been specifically reported to interact with sulfasalazine, but it's best to talk with a doctor before using them in combination with sulfasalazine. Sulfasalazine may interact with vitamin B9 (folic acid), reducing its absorption.
It's crucial to discuss any potential interactions with your doctor before starting sulfasalazine treatment. If prescribed sulfasalazine with digoxin, doctors may order frequent blood tests to monitor digoxin levels.
Sulfasalazine is available as the brand-name drugs Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice and to ensure the medication is suitable for your specific situation.
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