Sulfasalazine Pharmacology

Sulfasalazine is a medication that can be used for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. Because sulfasalazine can cause GI upset, this is a major reason why we try to break up the dose and give it multiple (at least two) times per day. LFT and CBC monitoring are recommended with sulfasalazine due to its low potential to cause liver dysfunction, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis. Sulfasalazine can impair folic acid absorption and lead to potential deficiency. A patient deficient in folic acid is at higher risk for developing anemia. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!