The most common side effects are nausea and headaches. The nausea may be controlled by taking the drug with food, or by using the enteric-coated form of the drug. Sulfasalazine can usually be taken safely for a long time. Some people, however, develop an allergy to sulfasalazine in the form of a rash and fever. Giving the drug in frequent very small doses may enable the person to tolerate the drug without producing a rash or other reaction.
Corticosteroids are similar to cortisone, a hormone produced by the body.
They are strong, anti-inflammatory drugs, which can help both the symptoms of the bowel and the joints. They are used only when the symptoms are severe, because they may produce serious side effects when taken for a long time. Be sure to discuss the possible side effects with your doctor before taking corticosteroids. Most of the side effects decrease and eventually go away as the dosage is reduced and stopped. Once you begin taking these drugs, however, never stop or change the dosage on your own.