The common side effects of Sazo 500 mg tablet include:
- Indigestion, heartburn, and nausea: These symptoms can occur due to stomach lining irritation.
- Dizziness and headache: These symptoms can occur due to changes in blood pressure.
- Changes in taste: Some patients may experience a metallic taste in their mouth while taking Sazo 500 mg tablets.
- Ringing in the ears: This side effect is rare but can occur in some patients taking Sazo 500 mg tablets.
- Cough: Sazo 500 mg tablet can cause a dry cough in some patients.
- Itching of the skin: Some patients may experience itching or a rash while taking sulfasalazine.
- Joint pain: Some patients may experience joint pain or muscle aches while taking Sazo 500 mg tablets.
- Protein in urine: Sazo 500 mg tablets can cause a protein to appear in the urine, which is usually not a cause for concern but should be monitored by a healthcare provider.
- Fever: Sazo 500 mg tablets can cause a fever in some patients, which may indicate an infection or allergic reaction.
Managing the Side effects
However, some measures can be taken to help manage the common side effects of Sazo 500 mg tablet:
- Indigestion and heartburn: Avoiding spicy, greasy, or acidic foods can help reduce indigestion and heartburn symptoms. Consuming smaller, frequent meals can also be beneficial. A healthcare provider may also recommend antacids or acid-reducing medications.
- Nausea: Sipping on clear liquids, such as water or ginger tea, may help reduce feelings of nausea. Avoiding strong smells or odours and eating bland foods can also be helpful. If nausea persists, a healthcare provider may recommend medication.
- Dizziness: Avoiding sudden changes in position, such as standing up too quickly, can help reduce dizziness symptoms. Staying hydrated and getting enough rest may also be helpful.
- Headache: Applying a cool compress to the forehead or neck may help reduce headache symptoms. Staying hydrated and avoiding triggers, such as stress or certain foods, may also be helpful.
- Changes in taste: Eating strong-flavoured foods like citrus or pickles may help mask unpleasant taste changes. Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth and practising proper oral hygiene is also beneficial.
- Ringing in the ears: Avoiding loud noises or wearing earplugs in noisy environments may help reduce ringing in the ears. Staying hydrated and managing stress levels may also be helpful.
- Cough: Drinking warm liquids, such as tea or broth, may help soothe a cough. Avoiding irritants, such as smoke or dust, can also be helpful.
- Itching of the skin: Applying cool, wet compresses or taking a cool bath may help reduce itching. Avoiding hot showers or baths and using gentle, fragrance-free soaps may also be helpful.
- Joint pain: A warm compress or bath may help reduce joint pain. Doing gentle exercises, such as stretching or walking, can also be helpful.
- Protein in urine: This can be a sign of kidney problems and should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
- Fever: Drinking fluids and getting adequate rest may help reduce fever symptoms. A healthcare provider may recommend medication to reduce fever if necessary.
Precautions
Pregnancy
There have been cases of children born with neural tube defects to mothers using Sazo 500 mg tablets during pregnancy, while the exact role of Sazo 500 mg tablets in these disorders is unknown. The medication may cause harm to a developing foetus. Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant should consult their healthcare provider before taking this medication.
Breastfeeding
Sulfasalazine can be secreted into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. There have been cases of babies of breastfeeding moms experiencing diarrhoea or blood in their faeces while taking the sazo 500 mg tablet. If this occurs, discontinue the sazo 500 mg tablet and consult your doctor immediately. Breastfeeding women should notify their healthcare provider before taking this medication.
Alcohol
Patients should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Sazo 500 mg tablets, as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
Liver
Sazo 500 mg tablets may cause liver damage, particularly in patients with pre-existing liver disease. Patients should consult their doctor if they have a history of liver problems before taking the sazo 500 mg tablet.
Kidney
Sazo 500 mg tablets may cause kidney damage, particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney disease. Patients should notify their doctor if they have a history of kidney problems before taking the sazo 500 mg tablet.
Using Machine and Driving
It is unlikely that sazo 500 mg tablet would impair your ability to drive or operate machines. However, avoiding attentive tasks is recommended if you experience any side effects after taking Sazo 500 mg tablets.
Allergy
Patients who have a known allergy to sulfonamides should not take sulfasalazine. Patients who experience an allergic reaction while taking this medication should stop using it and seek medical attention immediately.
Use In Children
The safety and efficacy of Sazo 500 mg tablets in children have not been established. Therefore Sazo 500 mg tablets are not to be used in children under two years of age. The medication should only be used in children under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Use In Older Patients
Older patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of Sazo 500 mg tablet, particularly liver and kidney problems. Healthcare providers should monitor older patients carefully while they are taking this medication.
Interaction
Drug-Drug Interactions
Sazo 500 mg tablet has the potential to interact with several other drugs, including:
- Medicines for high blood sugar/diabetes: Sazo 500 mg tablets can affect blood sugar levels and may interact with other drugs used to control high blood sugar or diabetes, such as insulin or metformin. Patients taking these medications should be closely monitored by their healthcare provider.
- Digoxin: Sazo 500 mg tablet may increase the digoxin levels in the blood, raising the risk of side effects. Patients taking digoxin should be carefully monitored by their healthcare provider.
- Folic acid or folate: Sazo 500 mg tablets may interfere with the absorption of folic acid, which is essential for many processes in the body, including the production of new cells. Patients taking Sazo 500 mg tablets should have their folic acid levels monitored and may require supplementation.
- Azathioprine and mercaptopurine: Sazo 500 mg tablets may increase the risk of bone marrow suppression when used with these drugs, which are used to suppress the immune system in organ transplantation and certain chronic inflammatory conditions. Patients taking these medications in combination with Sazo 500 mg tablets should be carefully monitored.
- Methotrexate: Sazo 500 mg tablet may increase the risk of methotrexate toxicity when used together. Patients taking these medications in combination should be closely monitored by their healthcare provider.
Drug-Food Interactions
You can usually eat and drink normally while taking Sazo 500 mg tablets. But Sazo 500 mg tablet can interact with
Alcohol: Consumption of alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by Sazo 500 mg tablets. Patients should avoid consuming alcohol while taking Sazo 500 mg tablets.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Here are some drug-disease interactions to be aware of:
- G6PD Deficiency: Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may experience hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) when taking Sulfasalazine. Therefore, Sazo 500 mg tablets should be used cautiously in patients with G6PD deficiency.
- Blood Disorders: Sazo 500 mg tablets may cause changes in blood cell counts, including a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Patients with pre-existing blood disorders should be monitored closely for any changes in blood counts.
- Liver Disease: Sazo 500 mg tablet is metabolised by the liver, so patients with liver disease may experience altered drug metabolism and an increased risk of side effects. Dosage adjustments may be necessary for patients with liver disease.
- Kidney Disease: Sazo 500 mg tablet is excreted by the kidneys, so patients with kidney disease may experience altered drug excretion and an increased risk of side effects. Sulfasalazine causes crystalluria and kidney stone formation. Therefore, dosage adjustments may be necessary for patients with kidney disease.
- Porphyria: Sazo 500 mg tablet can worsen symptoms of porphyria, a rare genetic disorder affecting the production of heme, an essential component of haemoglobin. Patients with a history of porphyria should use caution when using Sazo 500 mg tablets.
- Colitis: Sazo 500 mg tablet may worsen colitis symptoms or inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with a history of colitis should be closely monitored while using Sazo 500 mg tablets.
- Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions: Sazo 500 mg tablets can cause allergies, including fever, rash, and other skin reactions. Patients with a history of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to sulfonamides or other medications should use caution when using Sulfasalazine.
- Jaundice: patients with jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) should avoid using Sazo 500 mg tablets.