Azulfidine Dosage: An Introduction
The dose of
Azulfidine® (
sulfasalazine) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The severity of your ulcerative colitis
- Your age and weight
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your Azulfidine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so. Azulfidine is also available in a delayed-release tablet form
(see Azulfidine EN-Tabs Dosage).
Active Ulcerative Colitis
The recommended starting dose of Azulfidine for mild to moderately active cases of ulcerative colitis in adults is 3000 to 4000 mg total per day (split up into smaller doses taken every eight hours or more frequently). For children age six and older, the recommended dose of Azulfidine is 40 to 60 mg per kg of weight (about 18 to 27 mg per pound) total per day, split up into three to six smaller doses per day.
Your healthcare provider may decide to start you at a lower dose and slowly increase it, as this may decrease the risk of upset stomach and other intestinal-related
Azulfidine side effects.
Ulcerative Colitis Remission
Once your ulcerative colitis is in remission, your healthcare provider may decrease your Azulfidine dosage to 2000 mg daily (split up into several smaller doses) for adults. For children age six and up, the dose can be reduced to 30 mg per kg (about 13.5 mg per pound) total per day, split up into four smaller doses.
