Sulfasalazine Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• This medicine may change the color of urine, sweat, and tears to yellow or orange color.

• This medicine may stain contact lenses.

• Protect clothing and fabrics from staining.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may occur.

• Sperm counts and motility can be decreased. This is reversible within 2 months after the medicine is stopped.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Headache.

• Belly pain or heartburn.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• If you see tablet bits in the stool.

• Severe belly pain or bloody diarrhea.

• Yellow skin or eyes.

• Not able to eat.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.