Compare Apriso vs. Sulfasalazine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Maintains remission of ulcerative colitis
Apriso (mesalamine) is an effective medication for maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis that's generally well tolerated, but commonly causes headache.
Reduces inflammation.
Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine) is used to treat moderate to severe inflammatory bowel conditions. It's also used with other medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Upsides
- Apriso (mesalamine) is only available as a tablet, however, mesalamine is available in different forms, including tablets, capsules, enemas, and suppositories.
- Certain forms of Apriso (mesalamine) can be used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant, and you have bowel inflammation.
- It is a good option even if you have kidney or liver disease.
- Since Apriso (mesalamine) is an extended release form, the pill is taken only once a day compared to other similar medicines and can be less irritating to the stomach and intestines.
- Can slow down the progression of your rheumatoid arthritis.
- Helps control your stomach problems if you're taking it for ulcerative colitis.
Downsides
- Although you only have to take it once in the morning, you may need to take 4 capsules.
- Apriso (mesalamine) is not available as a cheaper, generic form.
- Should only be used if you're 18 or older.
- Requires constant lab monitoring, at least every other week when you first start using it.
- Not a good option if you have kidney or liver disease.
- If you're allergic to sulfa drugs or aspirin, you can't take Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine).
- Can interfere with lab test results, so let your doctor know if you're taking this drug.
- Interacts with a lot of different drugs and can also cause many side effects.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Extended-release pill
- Pill
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$499.55
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$276.45
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Reviews
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Side effects
7possible side effects
- Headache11%
- Diarrhea8%
- Upper stomach pain5%
- Nausea4%
- Common cold4%
- Flu-like symptoms4%
- Sinus infection3%
8possible side effects
- Nausea19%
- Stomach problems13%
- Rash13%
- Headache9%
- Stomach pain8%
- Vomiting8%
- Fever5%
- Dizziness4%
Risks and risk factors
- Liver problems
- Preexisting liver problems
- Taking other medications toxic to the liver
- Kidney problems
- Preexisting kidney problems
- Taking medications toxic to the kidney
- Build up of phenylalanine in the body
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Serious allergic reactions
- Sulfasalazine reaction
- Acute intolerance syndrome
- Kidney, liver, or blood problems
- Serious skin reactions
- Serious allergic reactions
- Serious infections
- Drug interactions