Sulfasalazine
Brand: Azulfidine (US/EU) / Salazopyrin (EU) / Saaz (IN) / SulfaSalazine (BD)
Gastrointestinal
Azo-linked 5-ASA prodrug
Pharmacokinetics
| Half-life | 7 hours |
| Tmax | 3 h |
| Bioavailability | 15 % (approx) |
| Protein Binding | 99 % |
| Volume of Distribution | 0.1 L/kg (approx) |
| Clearance Route | mixed |
| Active Metabolites | yes |
| Notes | Colon bacteria split azo bond → mesalazine (local) + sulfapyridine (systemic); acetylator status affects toxicity. |
⚠️ Safety & Warnings
Severity: Moderate
Adverse Effects:
Nausea, headache, rash, reversible oligospermia; hemolysis in G6PD deficiency
Contraindications:
Sulfonamide or salicylate allergy, G6PD deficiency
Precautions:
Monitor CBC and LFTs; supplement folate; caution in slow acetylators