hydroxychloroquine vs sulfasalazine
Side-by-side comparison of hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Plaquenil
Azulfidine
Hydroxychloroquine is a drug used to treat or prevent malaria, and to treat certain autoimmune diseases. It works by interfering with the immune system and by killing malaria parasites.
Sulfasalazine is a drug that reduces inflammation in the body. It is used to treat ulcerative colitis.
This medicine can treat uncomplicated malaria caused by certain parasites. It can also prevent malaria in areas where the parasites are not resistant to the drug. Hydroxychloroquine also treats rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and chronic discoid lupus erythematosus.
Sulfasalazine treats ulcerative colitis, a condition that causes inflammation and sores in the lining of the large intestine. It can help with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. It can also be used with other treatments for severe ulcerative colitis. This medicine can also help keep ulcerative colitis from coming back.
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial and antirheumatic drug. It is thought to work by interfering with the immune system's activity. It also stops the growth of malaria parasites in red blood cells.
Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory drug. It works by reducing inflammation in the colon. The exact way it does this is not fully known.
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Diarrhea
- • Abdominal pain
- • Fatigue
- • Loss of appetite
- • Headache
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Stomach upset
- The medicine did not work 20,457
- Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 15,128
- Rheumatoid arthritis 12,921
- Pain 10,409
- Joint pain 9,276
- The medicine is not working 29,013
- Rheumatoid arthritis 19,190
- Pain 15,658
- Cannot tolerate the medicine 13,521
- Joint pain 13,161
This drug can cause heart problems, including a weakened heart muscle and irregular heartbeats. It can also cause irreversible damage to your retina, so regular eye exams are needed. This medicine can also cause serious skin reactions. If you have psoriasis or porphyria, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. It can also cause liver and kidney problems.
You should not take this medicine if you have a blockage in your intestines or urinary tract. You should not take this medicine if you have porphyria, as it could cause an attack. You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to sulfasalazine, its ingredients, sulfonamides, or salicylates.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This drug can cross the placenta, but studies haven't shown a risk of major birth defects. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant. Hydroxychloroquine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Sulfasalazine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while breastfeeding.
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How to Read This hydroxychloroquine vs sulfasalazine Comparison
hydroxychloroquine is classified in the Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) drug class, while sulfasalazine sits within the Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, hydroxychloroquine has 68,191 submissions while sulfasalazine has 90,543. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.