Sulphasalazine is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) which is used to induce and maintain a remission of rheumatoid arthritis.
Sulphasalazine remains the version used in rheumatology as mesalazine is not adequately absorbed by mouth.
Mesalazine (5-ASA) is the active moiety of sulphasalazine which is now the preferred version for treating ulcerative colitis as it avoids sulphonamide-related side effects. It can still cause blood dyscrasias, liver and skin problems.
ref: current BNF
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