Azulfidine Uses

Azulfidine is primarily used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in adults and children age six and older. By inhibiting the action of certain chemicals in the lining of the colon, the medication can help reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. "Off-label" uses of Azulfidine include the treatment of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Azulfidine for Colitis

Azulfidine Uses: An Overview

Azulfidine^® (sulfasalazine) is a prescription medication that is used to treat ulcerative colitis. It is also available in a delayed-release tablet form (see Azulfidine EN-Tabs), which is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that leads to inflammation and sores in the lining of the large intestine and rectum. It commonly causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms, like rectal bleeding or an extreme urgency to have a bowel movement. At this time, the causes of ulcerative colitis are not fully understood. Although ulcerative colitis complications can be quite severe, there is only one ulcerative colitis cure -- surgery. Other than surgery (see Ulcerative Colitis Surgery), treatment options include the following:

Medications (see Ulcerative Colitis Medication)
Dietary changes (see Ulcerative Colitis Diet)
Lifestyle changes (see Living With Ulcerative Colitis)
A combination of these options.

Azulfidine is approved to treat mild to moderately active cases of ulcerative colitis, helping to reduce the symptoms. The medication is also approved to prevent ulcerative colitis symptoms from returning in people for whom ulcerative colitis is in remission. For severe ulcerative colitis, Azulfidine is used along with other ulcerative colitis medications.

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