Sulphasalazine in rheumatoid arthritis: desensitising the patient with a skin rash

Sulphasalazine has been shown to be useful in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. However, its use may be complicated by a skin rash. Eight patients with a rash have undergone desensitisation, the aim of which was to achieve a daily dose of 2 g sulphasalazine. This was successful in five patients, partially successful in two, and failed in one patient. Desensitisation to sulphasalazine is a simple outpatient procedure, which subsequently allows the majority of patients developing a skin rash to continue treatment.