Sulfasalazine is a salicylate used to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory drug structurally related to salicylates and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 10 references
Although the exact mechanism of action of sulfasalazine is not fully understood, it is thought to be mediated through the inhibition of various inflammatory molecules. Research have found that sulfasalazine and its metabolites, mesalazine and sulfapyridine, can inhibit leukotrienes and prostaglandins by blocking the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathway. Specific enzymes that were investigated include phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase. Inhibitory activities on other non-arachidonic acid derivatives have also been observed, including PPAR gamma, NF-Kb, and IkappaB kinases alpha and beta.
- Primary indication
- In the US, sulfasalazine is indicated to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and to prolong the remission period between acute attacks of ulcerative colitis.Curator reviewed · 9 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C18H14N4O5S · 398.393 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2002 · United States, 1950
- Also known as
- Azopyrin · Salazosulfapyridine · Salicylazosulfapyridine · Sulphasalazine
- Code names
- NSC-203730 · NSC-667219 · SSZ
- Brand names
Resolves to
NCEXYHBECQHGNR-QZQOTICOSA-NSMILESOC(=O)C1=CC(=CC=C1O)\N=N\C1=CC=C(C=C1)S(=O)(=O)NC1=NC=CC=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Sulfasalazine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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