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Sulfasalazine shortage

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/8/2021 12:31 PM (GMT -6)
I have been on Sulfasalazine for 20 years since originally diagnosed. I have done well on it with few flares. I have up'd the dosage from maintenance dosage of 2000 to 3000 thru the years. Now there is a sulfasalazine shortage and I have had trouble getting my prescriptions filled. I usually get a 3 mo supply but now they were only able to give me a one month supply.

I really do NOT want to change to something else. If it aint broke, don't fix it! I have no side effects from sulfasalazine. I am 80 years old. I realize it is an old product and a generic and the drug companies can't make money on it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Posted 4/8/2021 6:50 PM (GMT -6)
I certainly understand not wanting to switch to something new. You could call around to other pharmacies and see if they can get it for you, I also called my insurance provider and they had a health advocate that made calls for me once until they found a pharmacy that could get sfRowasa for me.
If you have to switch, I would think that colazal might be the next closest medication.
Posted 4/8/2021 6:57 PM (GMT -6)
So frustrating, and so weird since this med is used for many things. I'm wondering if it's being used for covid for some reason?

Maybe ask for a mesalamine that is comparable to the amount that the sulfasalazine would have provided.

Let us know what the outcome is.

q
Posted 4/9/2021 9:15 AM (GMT -6)
Thank you momto2boys and quincy for your responses. Yes, it is a completely frustrating situation! I was hoping there were others who were on sulfasalazine who might give an opinion. I have called other pharmacies and no luck. The companies that make it just keep moving the date when it will be available or are giving no reason for the shortage.
Posted 4/9/2021 11:38 AM (GMT -6)
Is this something a compounding pharmacy could make/get for you? (I have no idea, just asking). Are you in US? What about a mail order Canadian pharmacy?
Posted 4/11/2021 11:39 AM (GMT -6)
Did you ask your doctor about the Rx shortage? If it affects other patients you have a better chance of getting pharma attention & remedy for your situation. Sulfasalazine seems to work best for UCers with arthritic-type discomfort. In case you would have to switch maintenance med, consideration should be given as to whether your UC is pancolitis, left-sided, or proctosigmoid. (i.e., oral mesalamine now is manufactured in different formulas/brands. In USA: Lialda, Pentasa, Delzicol, Asacol HD for pancolitis; Colazal for left-sided & proctosigmoid UC has generics Balsalazide disodium; Apriso was chiefly designed for maintenance of remission.) / Old Hat (40 yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal; allergic to sulfasalazine & Apriso)
Posted 4/11/2021 1:24 PM (GMT -6)
My brother who has colitis did really well when he was on sarms.
Sometimes he take small amounts of RAD 140 or RAD 150 or YK-11. Don't take the creatine based ones.
Posted 4/12/2021 11:10 AM (GMT -6)
I am not taking it now, I had an AWFUL reaction. But my Walgreens was out and said at least 6 week backlog. I found it at Meijer (mid west chain). So yes, sounds like something is going on in the supply chain. I wish I could send you mine, ugh!!!


p
Posted 4/12/2021 2:43 PM (GMT -6)
I am having the same problem. I did ask a compounding pharmacy about doing that (I must have the DR or EC version or it really upsets my stomach.). They couldn't do it for several reasons, one of which is that if a drug is available already manufactured, they are not allowed to compound it. I had to order the non generic version which is extremely expensive, (10x more expensive for my out of pocket) and they even have that on backorder. I'm like you, it's worked for 30 years and at 61 I dont want to change. Ugg!

I've called all over, I think its' really all manufactured by one company. As my husband said, if they aren't making money on the generic, just raise up the price a little! Dont stop making it!
Posted 4/12/2021 3:20 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you Old Hat for the clarifying the differences between the meds for the type of UC that one has. That was very helpful to me, as I have a dr appt Wed to discuss maybe changing meds. As I said, I really don't want to change and you never know what kind of side effects you will get when trying something new.

Thanks bb104 and TP177 for your responses. It is nice to know I'm not alone in this struggle. I think the shortage is quite wide spread. They say Greenstone Mfg. is suppose to have supplies Apr. 2021--hey guys IT'S APRIL! Sulfasalazine is is also used by some who have rheumatoid arthritis. so they are getting shorted too.
Posted 9/15/2021 7:36 AM (GMT -6)
I'm currently having an out of stock on my Sulfasalazine EC/DR (been dealing with it off and on since the start of COVID). I've called every Walgreens, Costco, Walmart, independent pharmacy etc in a 25 mile radius and they all say that it's on backorder until at least November. The immediate release tablets just don't work well for me as they break up before they get to where the need to go. Also, mesalamine DR doesn't seem to work well with me either. Sucks.
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