Lialda vs. Azulfidine

• Are Azulfidine and Lialda the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lialda?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Azulfidine?
• What Is Lialda?
• What Is Azulfidine?
• What Drugs Interact with Lialda?
• What Drugs Interact with Azulfidine?
• How Should Lialda Be Taken?
• How Should Azulfidine Be Taken?

Lialda (mesalamine) and Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine delayed release tablets) are aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory agents used to treat ulcerative colitis.

Lialda is also used to treat proctitis and proctosigmoiditis, and also to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Azulfidine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults who have received other arthritis medications without successful treatment of symptoms.

Side effects of Lialda and Azulfidine that are similar include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, tired feeling, or skin rash.

Side effects of Lialda that are different from Azulfidine include stomach cramps, gas, fever, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, or constipation.

Side effects of Azulfidine that are different from Lialda include stomach upset, loss of appetite, ringing in your ears, spinning sensation, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, sleep problems (insomnia), or itching.

Lialda may interact with azathioprine, mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicines, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Azulfidine may interact with digoxin, folic acid, or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid.

Common side effects of Lialda include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach cramps,
• diarrhea,
• gas,
• fever,
• sore throat,
• flu-like symptoms,
• constipation,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• tired feeling, or
• skin rash.

Contact your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Lialda including:

• severe stomach pain,
• fever,
• headache, and
• bloody diarrhea.

Common side effects of Azulfidine include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• ringing in your ears,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• unusual tiredness,
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips,
• sleep problems (insomnia), or
• itching or skin rash.

Azulfidine may cause temporary male infertility. This effect is reversible when Azulfidine is stopped. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Azulfidine including:

• sun sensitivity,
• hearing changes,
• mental/mood changes,
• painful urination,
• blood in the urine,
• changes in the amount of urine,
• new lump or growth in the neck (goiter),
• numbness or tingling of the hands or feet,
• signs of low blood sugar (e.g., hunger, cold sweat, blurred vision, weakness, fast heartbeat), or
• swollen glands.

Lialda (mesalamine) is an anti-inflammatory agent used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis, and also to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine delayed release tablets) is an anti-inflammatory agent and immunomodulatory agent used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Azulfidine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults who have received other arthritis medications without successful treatment of symptoms.

Lialda may interact with azathioprine or mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicine, aspirin or other NSAIDs. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Lialda is not expected to be harmful to a fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication if you are breastfeeding.

Azulfidine EN-tabs may interact with digoxin, folic acid, or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid. There may be other drugs that can interact with Azulfidine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Azulfidine EN-tabs should be used only when prescribed. Caution is advised if this medication is used near the expected delivery date because similar drugs may cause harm to a newborn. This medication may lower folic acid levels, increasing the risk of spinal cord defects. Consult your doctor about taking enough folic acid. This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dosage of Lialda for the induction of remission in adult patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis is two to four 1.2 g tablets taken once daily with a meal for a total daily dose of 2.4 g or 4.8 g. The recommended dosage for the maintenance of remission is two 1.2 g tablets taken once daily with a meal for a total daily dose of 2.4 g.

Adult doses of Azulfidine range from 1000 mg to 4000 mg daily, taken 2 to 4 times daily depending on the condition being treated. Pediatric doses are determined by weight.