As with other drugs, Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine) can cause side effects, such as headache and nausea and vomiting. If you are not able to tolerate side effects of Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine) are brand-name oral tablets that are prescribed for ulcerative colitis and certain other inflammatory conditions.
The side effects you experience may vary depending on the condition being treated.
If you have problems with side effects from Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs without consulting your doctor first.
For additional information about Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs, including details about its uses, see this Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs overview article.
Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs can cause certain side effects (also called adverse effects), some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs in clinical trials:
- reduced appetite
- headache
- indigestion
- abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” section.
Mild side effects can occur with Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs include:
- jaundice
- dark-colored urine
- reduced appetite
- headache
- indigestion
- abdominal pain
- skin rash
- itching
- nausea and vomiting*
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” section.
Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Kidney problems. Symptoms can include:
- urinating less than is typical for you
- brown or pink urine
- swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
- fatigue
- itching
- Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
- Severe skin reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. Symptoms can include:
- red or purple skin rash
- blistering or peeling of your skin
- fever
- flu-like symptoms
- rash and blistering affecting the eyes, mouth, throat, or genitals
- Nervous system problems, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. Symptoms can include:
- seizures
- weakness
- tingling sensations or numbness
- Reduced sperm count and infertility in males* (which is reversible after stopping treatment).
- Blood disorders.†
- Serious infection.†
- Allergic reaction.†
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” section.
Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drugs’ side effects and their answers.
I’m taking an Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs dose of 500 mg. What side effects can I expect?
The side effects that are possible with Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs are the same regardless of the dose you take. These side effects are described throughout this article.
As with many medications, you may be more likely to get side effects if you take a high dose of Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs. Your doctor will always prescribe the lowest possible dose to manage your symptoms.
If you’re concerned about side effects with the dosage of Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs you’ve been prescribed, talk with your doctor.
Will I need blood tests while taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs?
Yes, your doctor will order various blood tests from time to time while you’re taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs. These blood tests are to check for possible side effects of these medications.
Tests your doctor may order include:
- complete blood counts to check your blood cell levels
- liver function tests
- creatinine blood tests to check your kidney function
Be sure to keep your appointments for blood tests while taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs. If you have questions about these blood tests, talk with your doctor.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs.
Blood disorders
Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs can cause blood disorders, although these are rare. In clinical trials, blood disorders that were reported with these medications included:
- anemia (low level of red blood cells, which carry oxygen around your body)
- neutropenia (low level of white blood cells, which help your body fight infection)
- thrombocytopenia (low level of blood cells called platelets, which help blood to clot)
- agranulocytosis (low levels of all blood cells)
Symptoms of blood disorders may include:
- fever
- sore throat
- mouth ulcers
- fatigue
- skin, gums, or nail beds that look paler than is typical for you
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- spots of discoloration under your skin
Your doctor will order frequent blood tests to check your blood cell levels while you take Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs.
What you can do
If you have symptoms of a blood disorder while taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, contact your doctor right away. They’ll likely order blood tests to check your blood cell levels.
During treatment, be sure to keep your appointments for blood tests. This will allow your doctor to identify any problems with your blood cell levels early. If a problem develops with your blood cell levels, your doctor will likely recommend stopping Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs. They may also recommend switching to a different medication for your condition.
Serious infection
Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of getting serious infections, such as pneumonia. Serious infections can sometimes lead to sepsis (an extreme immune response to an infection). In clinical trials, these side effects were rare with Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs.
Symptoms of a serious infection and sepsis may include:
- fever
- cough
- trouble breathing
- fast heart rate
- fatigue
What you can do
Talk with your doctor about your risk of infections before taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs. Be sure to tell them if you have any current infections or infections that keep coming back. Also, tell them about any serious infections you’ve had in the past.
While taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, be sure to keep your appointments for blood tests. This will allow your doctor to identify any potential problems with your blood cell levels and immune system.
If you have any symptoms of an infection while taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, contact your doctor right away. However, if your symptoms feel life threatening, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat it. They’ll also likely order blood tests to check your blood cell levels. Your doctor may have you stop taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs until the infection is managed.
Nausea and vomiting
You may have nausea and vomiting while taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs. In clinical trials, these side effects were common in people taking these medications.
Nausea and vomiting typically ease after the first few doses of Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs.
You may be more likely to have nausea and vomiting with Azulfidine than with Azulfidine EN-tabs. Azulfidine tablets dissolve in your stomach, so the medication may irritate your stomach lining and cause nausea and vomiting. However, Azulfidine EN-tabs have a special coating that allows them to pass through your stomach and into your intestine without irritating your stomach.
What you can do
If you have nausea and vomiting with Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage these side effects, such as having you take the medication with or after food.
If you have nausea and vomiting that doesn’t ease after your first few doses, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may lower your dosage of Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs for a few days. Then they may increase your dosage slowly again.
If you take Azulfidine and you still have bothersome nausea and vomiting, ask your doctor if switching to Azulfidine EN-tabs could be a good option for you.
Allergic reactionAs with most drugs, Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to x drug, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Take note of the following important information to consider before taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs.
Before taking Azulfidine or Azulfidine EN-tabs, discuss your health history with your doctor. Azulfidine and Azulfidine EN-tabs may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
