Reactions 483 - 8 Jan 1994

Theophylline/sulfasalazine

Anorexia and deafness: 2 case reportsTwo examples of adverse effects which were detected only

after the drug was withdrawn are detailed below. These 2reports describe long-term anorexia associated withtheophylline and long-term deafness and tinnitus associatedwith sulfasalazine.

A 60-year-old man with severe chronic obstructive airwaysdisease experienced a chronic lack of appetite in the absenceof nausea, and lost body weight after several years’ treatmentwith salbutamol [albuterol], beclomethasone diproprionateand theophylline [details of drug dosage and frequency notstated]. After theophylline was withdrawn, the patient’sappetite improved and he regained weight.

A 53-year-old man received sulfasalazine 1g bid for 2 yearsas treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Concomitant medicationincluded naproxen and sodium aurothiomalate. Whensulfasalazine therapy was replaced with methotrexate, thepatient remarked that ‘he could hear again and the ringing inhis ears stopped’.Long-standing adverse reactions. Medical Journal of Australia 159: 621, 1 Nov1993 - Australia 800234166

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Reactions 8 Jan 1994 No. 4830114-9954/10/0483-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved