Sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine is a sulfa drug with anti-inflammatory properties used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as certain types of arthritis.
Sulfasalazine treats inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis by reducing inflammation in the gut and joints.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- A07EC01
- RxNorm
- 9524
- Generic
- Sulfasalazine
- Class
- atc-a07
- Brands
- Azulfidine
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- oral, rectal
- Forms
- tablet, suspension
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Treats inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Often used to maintain remission in IBD and to slow joint damage in arthritis.
A prodrug that is broken down by colonic bacteria into sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). The 5-ASA component reduces inflammation locally in the colon by inhibiting inflammatory mediators and leukocyte activity, while sulfapyridine provides systemic anti-inflammatory effects in joints.
Must be taken with food and adequate fluids to reduce GI upset. Can cause nausea, headache, rash, and photosensitivity. May impair male fertility (reversible). Regular blood tests required to monitor for blood disorders. Contraindicated in sulfa allergy and porphyria. May interact with methotrexate, digoxin, and folic acid antagonists.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 25, 2026. · Read our editorial policy