The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
For UC:
- Nausea (33%)
- Vomiting (33%)
- Stomach upset (belly pain and cramping; 33%)
- Low appetite (33%)
- Headache (33%)
For RA (delayed-release tablets only):
- Nausea (19%)
- Indigestion (13%)
- Headache (9%)
- Belly pain (8%)
- Vomiting (8%)
- Fever (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Urine or skin turning orange or yellow
- Nerve pain
- Depression
- Hair loss
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in the ear
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Trouble sleeping
Sulfasalazine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infections: fever, cough, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches
- Severe allergic or skin reaction: itching, rash, blistering or peeling of skin, hives, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, fever, trouble breathing, swollen lymph nodes
- Serious bleeds: bleeding that's difficult to stop, vomiting blood, blood in the urine or stool, "coffee-ground" stool
- Kidney problems: feeling sick, weak, or confused; dehydration; urinating less than usual; blood in urine; swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Liver problems: nausea, vomiting, not feeling hungry, pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool
Source: DailyMed
The following Sulfasalazine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Aching of joints
headache (continuing)
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
skin rash or itching
vomiting
Less common
Back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
chills
dark urine
difficulty breathing
general body swelling
headache
loss of appetite
nosebleeds
pale skin
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Less common or rare
Aching of muscles
black, tarry stools
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
bloody diarrhea
bluish fingernails, lips, or skin
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fainting spells
fast heartbeat
general feeling of discomfort or illness
general tiredness and weakness
indigestion
inflammation of the joints
irregular heartbeat
light-colored stools
muscle aches
muscle cramps or spasms
muscle pain or stiffness
painful or difficult urination
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rash
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
swollen or painful glands
tightness in the chest
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
Incidence not known
Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Welts
Less common or rare
Discoloration of the skin or urine
hair loss or thinning of the hair
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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