Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Apo Sulfasalazine.
Allergies: Some people who are allergic to Furosemide, thiazide water pills, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors also experience allergic reactions to Apo Sulfasalazine. Before you take sulfasalazine, inform your doctor about any previous adverse reactions you have had to medications, especially water pills or sulfonamide antibiotics. Contact your doctor at once if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and throat.
Anemia: Sulfasalazine may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including red blood cells, in your blood.
Asthma: Sulfasalazine can cause increased breathing difficulty for people with asthma. If you have asthma, discuss with your doctor how Apo Sulfasalazine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Sulfasalazine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Bleeding: Sulfasalazine may cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.
Fertility: Infertility has been observed for some men treated with sulfasalazine. Stopping the medication appears to reverse these effects.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency: People without the G6PD enzyme should discuss with their doctor how Apo Sulfasalazine may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Sulfasalazine.
Hypersensitivity syndrome: A Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) called hypersensitivity syndrome has occurred for some people who take sulfasalazine. This reaction involves a number of organs in the body and may be fatal if not treated quickly. It is most likely to occur during the first three months of taking sulfasalazine, but may happen at any point during treatment. Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.
Infection: Sulfasalazine can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Tell your doctor immediately if you notice more frequent signs of infections, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.
Kidney Disease: Apo Sulfasalazine can reduce kidney function. If you have kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Sulfasalazine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Sulfasalazine, and whether any special monitoring is needed. You will probably need to have regular tests while taking Apo Sulfasalazine to make sure that your kidneys are working properly. People who have severe kidney problems should not use Apo Sulfasalazine.
Liver disease: Sulfasalazine may reduce liver function and can cause liver failure. If you have liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Sulfasalazine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Sulfasalazine, and whether any special monitoring is needed. You will probably need to have regular liver tests while taking Apo Sulfasalazine. People with severe liver disease or very poor liver function should not take sulfasalazine.
Staining: Sulfasalazine may produce an orange-yellow colour in the urine. Similar discoloration of the skin and yellow staining of soft contact lenses have occasionally been reported.
Tablets in stool: If you notice intact enteric-coated tablets in your stool, contact your doctor.
Pregnancy: Apo Sulfasalazine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Apo Sulfasalazine, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Apo Sulfasalazine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking sulfasalazine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Apo Sulfasalazine is not recommended for children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
