Is 4500 mg of Sulfasalazine per day normal?

[DougUte]

oo:Because of a fight with the insurance company my Doc is having to put me on sulfasalazine first instead of Humira. The doc's office called in the prescription to the pharmacy - 1500 mg 3 times a day. The pharmacy balked at that amount and tried to call my doctor's office but over Thanksgiving they did not respond. I called them on Monday but his staff still did not return the call to the pharmacy to clarify the dosage level. The pharmacy did fill the prescription, so I finally got started on a crohn's med yesterday.

I remember the Doc telling me that if we have to go to sulfasalzine to take 3 pills 3 times a day, but the pharmacists reaction has me wondering if that dosage is normal.

 

[outlier]

I take 500mg 4 times (total of 2000) a day and have had take 500mg 6 (3000) times a day at one point. if that helps

 

[Nyx]

When I was on meds I was taking 4000mg a day.

 

[Mountaingem]

Yes, that's normal-I took that dose when I was flaring really bad.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I also took 4000 mg/day when I was on it. 2 pills each at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bed. (4 hours apart minimum)

If you HAD to, you could probably get away with 3, 3, and 2 instead of 3 at each dose.

I hope it works well for you. Sulfasalazine was my first maintenance drug in 2002, and it kept me in remission for quite a while. Good luck!

 

[DougUte]

Thanks for the responses. Makes me feel more comfortable with that dosage of meds. I am a severe crohnie, which is why the doc wanted to put me on Humira right away. He really does not think this is going to work, but I have to do this to satisfy the insurance company before they will approve a biologic.

 

[Mountaingem]

:hang: Hope you find some relief soon! Would your insurance company approve Remicade? Sometimes they'll reject one medicine but approve another in the same drug class. Hope this helps!

 

[DougUte]

Jeanette - I'll be OK. I am also keeping the most detailed crohn's log I have ever kept. Every episode is going to be shown with date, time, etc.. I am using my daily planner for this log. So far I have less running to the bathroom, but it has not eliminated my need to stay close to a toilet.