Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is sulfasalazine in a delayed-release tablet. It treats ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may have other uses, too. 

You should take this medicine exactly when and how your doctor tells you to. It is important to space your doses evenly, such as every 6, 8 or 12 hours. Be sure to take it after meals and drink a full glass of water. You should swallow the tablets whole. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Many common side effects are related to the digestive tract. These include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and stomach discomfort. Taking it after eating should help reduce these. It can also cause headache or dizziness. You should use caution when driving until you know how this medicine affects you. These effects are normal if they are mild, and should go away. 

Sulfasalazine can also cause the urine to become an orange color, and cause a low sperm count in males. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

This medicine can cause your skin to become sensitive to the sun. You should take care to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. 

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects can occur. In general, you should tell your doctor right away if you have any unusual changes to your body. For example, always report a fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, and unexplained weakness or tiredness. Also report any changes to the skin, like a rash, blisters, peeling or discoloration. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will order blood tests often.

For best results with sulfasalazine, be sure to plan ahead for refills so you do not miss doses.