Salicylazosulphapyridine metabolism in clinical practice

Abstract

This Thesis describes work on the metabolism of salicylazosulphapyridine in normal volunteers and in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The effect of coincidental administration of iron and calcium in healthy volunteers on the absorption of sulphasalazine and its metabolites has been investi¬ gated. In patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease an attempt has been made to correlate the clinical state of the disease and the serum concentration of sulphasalazine or its metabolites. The relationship of the toxic effects due to sulphasalazine with the acetylator phenotype, dosage and serum concentration of the drug and its metabolites has also been explored. The feasibility of reintroducing the drug in patients with side effects has been studied. The metabolism of sulphasalazine in patients with ileostomy or colostomy was investigated