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Salazopyrin EN-TABS
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Salazopyrin EN-TABS is a bacteriostatic anti-inflammatory drug of the sulfonamide group, an analogue of such drugs as Sulfasalazine, S.A.S. 500, Salazosulfapyridine, Sulfasalazine-EN, Enteric 500. The active substance is sulfasalazine.
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Indications Salazopyrin EN-TABS
In clinical therapy, Salazopyrin EN-TABS is used for inflammatory bowel diseases caused by opportunistic pathogens: granulomatous colitis (Crohn's disease) in the active stage, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, inflammation of the rectal mucosa (ulcerative proctitis).
The drug is used in rheumatology - for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and inflammatory joint diseases in children under 16 years of age (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis).
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Pharmacodynamics
When entering the intestine, the active substance of Salazopyrin EN-TABS sulfasalazine is broken down into sulfapyridine (80%) and 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA, mesalazine). The antimicrobial effect of sulfapyridine is due to its ability to penetrate intestinal tissue, accumulate there and suppress the synthesis of folic acid salts in the cells of pathogenic microorganisms. The active component of the drug also prevents the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids by the enzyme lipoxygenase in the cells of the inflammatory focus. Thus, the disruption of cellular metabolism of bacteria and microbes leads to their death.
Poorly absorbed 5-ASA, for its part, has a local anti-inflammatory effect due to the suppression of prostaglandin production, which is characteristic of all salicylates - hormone-like substances that regulate cellular metabolism. As a result of this biochemical process, the intensity of inflammatory phenomena decreases.
Pharmacokinetics
Salazopyrin EN-TABS is absorbed quickly: almost 25% of the drug is absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. During the cyclic circulation of bile acids in the digestive organs, half of the drug taken returns to the intestine. So over 90% of the dose reaches the large intestine. Up to 10% of the active substance enters the systemic bloodstream.
Salazopyrin EN-TABS is partially oxidized in the liver, the main route of excretion of metabolites is through the urinary system. Unoxidized sulfasalazine binds to plasma proteins, where its maximum concentration is reached 12 hours after administration. Complete absence of Salazopyrin in the blood serum is noted three days after discontinuation of the drug.
20% of 5-ASA is excreted from the body in the urine, the rest is retained in the large intestine and then excreted unchanged and partially as a metabolite.
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Dosing and administration
The method of administration and dosage of Salazopyrin EN-TABS are determined and prescribed by the doctor, depending on the nature of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient.
For acute inflammatory bowel diseases in adults, an increasing dosage regimen is used: 500 mg 4 times on the first day, 1 g 4 times on the second day, 1.5-2 g 4 times a day from the third to the ninth day. The tablets are taken whole, after meals.
During the period of subsidence of the symptoms of acute ulcerative colitis, Salazopyrin EN-TABS is taken three times a day, one tablet (500 mg) - until the doctor stops taking the drug.
Children under 7 years of age take this medicine 250 mg 3 times a day, older children take 500 mg.
In rheumatoid arthritis and with previous long-term therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Salazopyrin-EN-TABS is prescribed in the following dosage: first week - 1 tablet per day, second week - 1 tablet twice a day, etc., until the daily intake of the drug increases to 4 times one tablet.
For juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the daily dose for children is 30-50 mg per kilogram of body weight (in 4 doses). The maximum daily dose in childhood is 2000 mg.
Use Salazopyrin EN-TABS during pregnancy
The negative effect of this drug that disrupts embryonic development has not been established, however, the use of Salazopyrin EN-TABS during pregnancy is possible only on the advice of a doctor, since the drug reduces the level of absorption of folic acid. The substances of the drug enter breast milk, therefore, when conducting treatment during lactation, you should stop breastfeeding.
Contraindications
Salazopyrin EN-TABS is contraindicated in the presence of blood diseases, liver dysfunction and genetic liver pathology (porphyria), severe renal dysfunction, as well as hypersensitivity to sulfonamides and salicylates. The drug is not used to treat children under 6 years of age.
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Side effects Salazopyrin EN-TABS
Interactions with other drugs
Concomitant use of Salazopyrin EN-TABS with drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots (anticoagulants), as well as with oral hypoglycemic antidiabetic agents (sulfonylurea derivatives) enhances their effect.
The therapeutic effect of Salazopyrin EN-TABS is reduced when used simultaneously with drugs from the antibiotic group, which suppress intestinal flora up to dysbacteriosis.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Salazopyrin EN-TABS" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.