Sulfasalazine

Sulfasalazine is used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It is also indicated for use in rheumatoid arthritis and used in other types of inflammatory arthritis (e.g. psoriatic arthritis and reactive arthritis). It is usually not given to children under two years of age. ==Side effects==

Use of sulfasalazine is contraindicated in people with sulfa allergies and in those with urinary tract obstructions, intestinal obstructions, and severe liver or kidney problems. Sulfasalazine inhibits dihydropteroate synthase, and can cause folate deficiency and megaloblastic anemia. and various other undesirable effects. Sulfasalazine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Sulfasalazine can cause kidney stones. Sulfasalazine may cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, or unusual tiredness. Sulfasalazine may cause sulfhemoglobinemia. ==Pharmacology==

Around 90% of a dose of sulfasalazine reaches the colon, where most of it is metabolized by bacteria into sulfapyridine and mesalazine (also known as 5-aminosalicylic acid or 5-ASA). Both metabolites are active; most of the sulfapyridine is absorbed and then further metabolized, but most mesalazine is not, and remains in the colon. as well as sepiapterin reductase. ==Chemistry==

It is a codrug which is a combination of sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid coupled with an azo linkage. ==Cost==

In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the cost-effectiveness of sulfasalazine is improved by combining it with other drugs. It is commonly used in treating inflammatory bowel disease in part due to its cost effectiveness. ==Research==

Sulfasalazine has been studied in cirrhosis, psoriasis, idiopathic urticaria, and amyloidosis. == References ==