hello,
I’m now on my third year of taking sulfasalzine for my RA, like you I previously was prescribed hcq but after 12m decided I’d given it a fair chance and wasn’t seeing any results.
I was offered methotrexate but was too scared of the side effects and requested the RA department allow me to work my up the drugs available starting with the weakest. I remember coming home with the prescription bag and being to nervous to even take the Sulfa tablets at the start.
I was supposed to start by building up the amount week by week and I can’t recall exactly but say if I was supposed to be, maybe 1 tablet in the morning and one at night I would only take half a tablet each time to test my reaction to them.
After a few days and only noticing yellow pee as a side effect I then went ahead with the increase.
Originally I was encouraged to increase the dose until taking 4/6 tablets per day but I found that 2 per day was actually working really well and noticed such an improvement compared to the hcq.
I’ve had the occasional flare up (maybe one course a year of steroids) but overall so pleased with the decision to give Sulfa a try.
No side effects unless I forget to drink enough fluids, which results in a headache but that might not even be the meds fault, could just be dehydrated.
Some pharmacies supply the oval tablets but most for me supply the round chalky paracetamol type which I find tricker to swallow.
A minor issue is the dye from the tablets makes your mouth/tongue/saliva orange after taking them, even if only on the tongue for 5 seconds. My solution is take the tablets each morning & night right before cleaning your teeth.
After researching the possible liver damage I read that liver damage from Sulfa is reversible within weeks of stopping the meds so that encouraged me along with blood tests every 3 months.
Good luck OP, I really hope they work for you too.