Drugs used in IBD

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Sulphasalazine

Indication:
Treatment of mild to moderate Ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease

Formulation:
Suspension 250mg/5ml
Tablets 500mg, 500mg E/C

Dose:
Acute 10-15mg/kg QDS (max 4-8g daily)

Doses will be adjusted to ensure ease of administration with the above formulations

Side-effects:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache, exacerbation of colitis symptoms, rarely reversible pancreatitis, hepatitis and interstitial nephritis, bone marrow suppression, fibrosing alveolitis.
Anaemia, folate deficiency and reversible oligospermia.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, neurotoxicity, photosensitivity, proteinuria, haematuria, nephrotic syndrome.
Urine and contact lenses maybe stained orange.
Caution with G6PD deficiency and slow acetylators.
Caution if salicylate hypersensitive

Interactions:
May reduce the absorption of folic acid and digoxin

Notes:
Blood and LFT’s should be performed regularly at the start of therapy.