Sulfasalazine
What is it?
Sulfasalazine is a medicine that dampens the immune response. It used to treat ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking sulfasalazine in pregnancy?
Sulfasalazine reduces ongoing tissue damage caused by ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. It also controls unpleasant symptoms that can affect quality of life, and can help to prevent the pregnancy complications that have been associated with these illnesses.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking sulfasalazine during pregnancy?
There are no concerns that taking sulfasalazine in pregnancy causes problems in the baby and it is routinely prescribed for pregnant women with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Because sulfasalazine can potentially affect folic acid levels, women taking it while trying to conceive and during pregnancy should be prescribed a high dose folic acid supplement.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking sulfasalazine?
Possibly. Other medicines can be used to treat ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, where a woman’s illness is well-controlled with sulfasalazine, staying on it may be the best option.
Ideally, women planning a pregnancy should speak to their specialist to determine whether sulfasalazine is still the most appropriate medicine for them. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking it, you should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity by your specialist. For many, ongoing use of sulfasalazine in pregnancy will be considered appropriate.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
It is very important to take any medicines prescribed to treat ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Left untreated these can be serious and can also lead to pregnancy complications.
Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when absolutely necessary and will be happy to talk to you about any concerns that you might have.
Do not stop sulfasalazine without speaking to your midwife, GP, or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
All pregnant women in the UK should be offered a detailed anomaly scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of their routine antenatal care. No extra monitoring for major birth defects is required following sulfasalazine use in pregnancy.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken sulfasalazine?
We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes sulfasalazine.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.