Sulfasalazine and penicillin allergy

[Queenie8]

I due to collect my prescription today for sulfasalazine for my RA. I have been prescribed this as my biological injection has failed and my consultant wants to add this as a booster.

I have had very little information about the drug, but I have researched it. I am classed as severely allergic to penicillin. I understand that the sulfasalazine is a DMARD that is partly anti inflammatory and partly anti biotic.

I am having trouble contacting the RA team at the hospital to clarify if I can take this medication due to the allergy. Generally trying to get any information or help from the hospital takes days or weeks.

Does anyone know if it is safe to use with a penicillin allergy?

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/gp-appointments-and-bookings/

@gindaddy I am under the care of the hospital not my GP

Ask the pharmacist when you collect your medication

Ask the pharmacist when you collect it.

Contact versus arthritis they have a helpline. for you OP, RA is shit.

The BNF listing for sulfasalazine doesn’t mention any cautions with penicillin allergies. The only cross reactivity is with salicylate (eg aspirin) allergy

I intend to ask the pharmacist, but the hospital is in Central London and I live in the home counties, and will be travelling into London with my DC. I don't particularly want to be at the hospital for hours whilst it's sorted out if there is a problem.

@Queenunikitty @mouldygrapes thank you

I take sulfasalazine and am also allergic to penicillin.

My consultant wouldn't prescribe it - but not only am I allergic to penicillin (and almost all other antibiotics I have ever been given), I have a documented history of an allergic reaction to a single sulfonamide in infancy.

That's what got me onto Biologics in the first place - being allergic to most stuff.

@queenMab99 thank you, that helps.

@mitzik I am using Cosentyx but it has failed and the RA is spreading. It has taken 15 months to get the consultant to listen to me and believe me that the Cosentyx is losing effect.

Sulfasalazine has a suppressing effect on your immune system so you'd be advised not to take it if you were ill enough for antibiotics. Is the question about taking both or whether you're likely to not get with it because you don't get on with penicillin? But don't ask a forum, ask a medic! My RA team is hard to reach on the phone but will call back. This might be useful: www.versusarthritis.org/media/12942/sulfasalazine-information-booklet-2019.pdf

@meandering
I already use a biological injection, so my immune system is suppressed. My concern is the sulfasalazine and penicillin allergy. I have emailed the RA team on Friday and this morning, and I have made a further phone call. I was told someone will get back to me.

My intention was to travel into London with the DC, collect the prescription and then have a day out with the DC.

I'm in limbo as whether to wait for the response or just go out for the day and potentially have to travel into town a second time.