Drug interactions
Sodium citrate / citric acid + Sulphasalazine
Severity: Minor
Sodium citrate / citric acid and Sulphasalazine: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Citrate salts are metabolized to bicarbonate and can raise urinary pH, which may modestly change the excretion of salicylate-type metabolites of sulfasalazine. The clinical effect is expected to be small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sodium citrate / citric acid and Sulphasalazine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Urinary alkalinization reduces tubular reabsorption of ionized weak acids and increases their renal clearance.
What to do
No routine action is needed. Review the response to sulfasalazine if large or sustained doses of citrate alkalinizers are used.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Sulphasalazine
- Deferiprone + Sulphasalazine Major
- Pexidartinib + Sulphasalazine Major
- Sepiapterin + Sulphasalazine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Sulphasalazine Moderate
- Aceclofenac + Sulphasalazine Moderate
- Acetazolamide + Sulphasalazine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sodium citrate / citric acid with Sulphasalazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Sodium citrate / citric acid and Sulphasalazine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Citrate salts are metabolized to bicarbonate and can raise urinary pH, which may modestly change the excretion of salicylate-type metabolites of sulfasalazine. The clinical effect is expected to be small.
How serious is the interaction between Sodium citrate / citric acid and Sulphasalazine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine action is needed. Review the response to sulfasalazine if large or sustained doses of citrate alkalinizers are used.
What other medicines interact with Sulphasalazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sulphasalazine with, for example, Deferiprone, Pexidartinib, Sepiapterin. The full list is on the Sulphasalazine page.
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