- Discussion:
- sulfasalazine was developed over 50 years ago to specifically treat RA;
- more recently it has been found to be efficacious for
psoriatic arthritis;
- typical adult dose is 1 gm per day, but may be increased to 2 gm per day;
- Cautions:
- most common adverse side effect with sulfasalazine is gastrointestinal intolerance;
- hematologic toxicity, including hemolytic anemia, folate deficiency, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and rarely, aplastic anemia, may occur;
- rarely, reversible oligospermia, fever, rash, exfoliative dermatitis, and pneumonitis may rarely develop;
Sulphasalazine in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
SM Fraser et al.
Br J. Rheumatology. 1993. Vol 32(10) p 923-925.
Comparison of sulfasalazine and placebo in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
DO Clegg et al.
Arthritis Rheum 1996. Vol 39(12). p 2013-2020.
Psoriatic arthritis: a quantitative overview of therapeutic options: the Psoriatic Arthritis Meta Analysis Study Group.
G Jones.
Br. J. Rheumatology. Vol 36(1). 1997. p 95-99.
Sulphasalazine in psoriatic arthritis: a randomized, multicentre, placebo controled study.
Combe, B. et al.
Br J. Rheumatology.
Vol 35(7). 1996. p 664-668.
