Azulfidine is a prescription, anti-inflammatory medication that can treat the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, according to MedlinePlus. The drug is available in the form of regular and enteric-coated tablets that patients take with food 4 times a day. Azulfidine enteric-coated tablets may be useful for adults and children with rheumatoid arthritis that has not reponded to other therapies. Patients should be aware of certain side effects that may be caused by this medication.
Gastrointestinal
According to Drugs.com, Azulfidine may cause gastrointestinal side effects that include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, abdominal pain, altered taste, diarrhea and stomatitis, or inflammation of the structures inside the mouth. Switching from the regular tablets to the enteric-coated tablets may reduce these gastrointestinal side effects.
Liver Problems
About 2 to 4 weeks after the start of therapy with Azulfidine, patients may develop hepatitis, explains Drugs.com. In general, the hepatitis goes away once patients stop taking the drug. Other liver problems can include elevated liver function tests, jaundice, cirrhosis and liver cell damage.
Agranulocytosis
Patients taking Azulfidine may experience agranulocytosis, which is a large decrease in white blood cell count. This usually occurs during the first three months of treatment, and leads to increased susceptibility to infection. Symptoms may include rash, fever or sore throat. White blood cell counts generally return to normal within 1 to 2 weeks after patient stops taking the drug.
Increased Sensitivity to Sunlight
According to the MayoClinic.com, Azulfidine may cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than it would be under normal conditions. Patients taking this drug may experience skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn if they go out into the sun for even a short period of time. So it is important that patients stay out of direct sunlight between 10:00 A.M. and 3 P.M., if possible. Patients who must be out into the sun should wear sunglasses and a hat and use a sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Dizziness
Azulfidine can cause dizziness in some patients. For this reason, people taking this drug should not drive or do anything that requires alertness until they know how the drug affects them. Patients who find this side effect particularly troublesome should consult their doctor.
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