What Is Sulfasalazine Used For?

Sulfasalazine is used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in adults and children age six and up. It is believed to work by inhibiting the action of certain chemicals in the colon that cause inflammation. As a result, symptoms of ulcerative colitis are diminished. Off-label sulfasalazine uses may include the treatment of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

What Is Sulfasalazine Used For? -- An Overview

Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine®) 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), ulcerative colitis treatment options include the following:
 
Sulfasalazine is approved to treat mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis, helping to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The medication is also approved to prevent symptoms from returning in people whose ulcerative colitis is in remission. For severe ulcerative colitis, sulfasalazine is used along with other ulcerative colitis medications.
 
(What Is Sulfasalazine Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;