Sulfasalazine

Is it effective against hair loss?

To date, we have enough studies to assert that sulfasalazine is an effective treatment for areata-type hair loss. Additionally, there are studies that highlight its positive effects in the case of psoriasis.

Sulfasalazine may reduce Alopecia areata

There are numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of sulfasalazine in the treatment of alopecia areata. I will mention a few. Remember that, like all treatments, it may not be effective for everyone.

Case study from 2023: Mesalazine on Alopecia Universalis

In this case study, two children aged 3 and 7 years old, suffering from alopecia areata universalis (hair loss all over the body), were completely treated with mesalazine after 12 months.

Mesalazine is one of the two components of sulfasalazine, with the advantage of having fewer side effects and slower absorption.

The results are remarkable:

This study also indicates that melasazine alone might be more advantageous than sulfasalazine.

Study from 2008 : sulfasalazine in severe alopecia areata

In this 2008 study conducted by Analú Vivian and colleagues, the use of oral sulfasalazine proved effective in 14 patients with severe alopecia areata.

Results from the 22 patients included in this study :

• 27.3% (6 individuals) achieved complete hair regrowth
• 40.9% experienced partial hair regrowth
• 31.8% (7 patients) did not experience any hair regrowth

This indicates that sulfasalazine can be highly effective for some individuals, while it may be less effective or not effective at all for others. However, it is important to emphasize that this variability in response is applicable to all treatments for alopecia areata, even the most widely used ones.

Other studies : sulfasalazine for lopecia areata

There are numerous studies available, and they all seem to lead to a consistent conclusion: sulfasalazine is considered a second-line treatment that proves effective in treating alopecia areata for specific individuals who have not responded positively to other treatments.

Feel free to take a look at these studies on the Big Studies : Sulfasalazine.

Sulfasalazine may treat Psoriasis

According to studies, Sulfasalazine can also help reduce and treat psoriasis, a skin condition that can appear of the scalp and cause hair loss in some cases.

To explain it in simple terms, psoriasis causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in red, thick, scaly patches on the skin. It is an immune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy skin cells by mistake. Psoriasis can be itchy and uncomfortable.

• Study from 1989 : In a study with 32 patients having moderate to severe psoriasis, they were given sulfasalazine daily for 8 weeks. Out of the 24 patients who finished the study, 19 showed significant improvement.
• Study from 1990 : In a study on treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis, 23 patients got sulfasalazine, and 27 got a placebo for 8 weeks. After this period, those on sulfasalazine showed significant improvement—41% marked, 41% moderate, and 18% minimal. Only 1 on placebo had moderate improvement.

Sulfasalazine is not a first-line tratment in case of psoriasis. However, you can use it if other treatments have not been effective.

Closing thoughts and verdict

I could advise you to consider using sulfasalazine to treat your alopecia areata or psoriasis under the supervision of your doctor. It has proven to be an effective treatment for some individuals.

However, please be aware that it is not a first-line treatment, and your doctor will only prescribe it if other treatments have proven ineffective for you.

How to use : dosage and application

For Psoriasis :

• Oral: start with an initial dose of 500 mg taken twice daily. If needed, your healthcare provider may increase the dose to 3 to 4 grams per day over time, as long as you can tolerate it.

Precautions & side effects

Side Effects:

• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• Headache
• Rash
• Lowered white blood cell count
• Liver problems
• Hair loss
• DRESS syndrome- Discontinue immediately
• Contraindicated in patients with G6PD deficiency.

Precautions:

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, allergies, or impaired liver function before taking sulfasalazine
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medication
• Use sun protection as sulfasalazine can increase sun sensitivity
• Blood counts and liver function tests should be monitored regularly
• Seek medical attention for severe diarrhea, unexplained fever, sore throat or unusual bruising/bleeding
• Tell your doctor if you experience any serious side effects
• Do not take sulfasalazine if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs