Doses - SULFASALAZINE

Dogs:

For inflammatory bowel disease:
a) Initially, 20 - 30 mg/kg q8h PO. If lesions are mild (histologically), the drug can beusually stopped in 3 weeks. Severe cases may require therapy for 6 weeks or more.(Richter 1989)
b) Chronic (Ulcerative) colitis: 10 - 15 mg/kg PO tid-qid; maximum of 3 grams per day.
Although response is variable, most dogs respond in 4-5 weeks. Then decrease dose to10 - 15 mg/kg once to twice daily for another 2-3 weeks. Some cases require treatmentfor several months; use trial and error to find dose that maintains remission (2 weeks oftherapy before assessing efficacy). (DeNovo 1988)
c) For chronic enterocolitis: 10 - 15 mg/kg q6h PO. (DeNovo 1986)
d) For chronic colitis: 35 - 50 mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 equal doses. Reevaluate at 2-4weeks of therapy; only animals with severe forms of colitis (e.g., ulcerative colitis)require long-term sulfasalazine therapy. (Chiapella 1986)

Cats:

For inflammatory bowel disease:
a) 20 - 25 mg/kg q12h- q24h PO. (Richter 1989)
b) Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis where colon is involved: 10 - 20 mg/kg q12h PO.
For idiopathic colitis: 10 - 20 mg/kg q12h PO or 250 mg total dose (1/2 - 500 mgtablet) once daily. (Sherding 1989)
c) 10 - 20 mg/kg PO q8-12h (maximum of 10 days) (Dimski 1995)
Monitoring Parameters -

1) Efficacy

2) Adverse effects, particularly KCS

3) Occasional CBC, liver function tests are warranted with chronic therapy
Client Information - Clients should monitor for symptoms of KCS (dry cornea, blepharospasm, bilateral mucopurulent discharge) and be instructed to report such to the veterinarian immediately.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Sulfasalazine Oral Tablets 500 mg; Azulfidine® (Pharmacia), generic; (Rx)Sulfasalazine 500 mg Enteric-coated Tablets; Azulfidine® EN-tabs® (Pharmacia), generic; (Rx)
Syrup of Ipecac - see Ipecac