Has anyone had success with squaric acid or sulfasalazine

My dermatologist has given me the option of being treated with squaric acid SADB or Sulfasalazine. I am scared of the blistering and itchiness with SADB and was wondering if it is worth it. I do not know much about sulfasalazine except that it is not supposed to have as many side effects as prednisone therapy. Has anyone used either of these?

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 20, 2012 at 7:11pm

Hey There, I had been on sulfasalazine for almost a year plus injections. I had regrowth at the injections sites that would stay because of the sulphasalazine but the drug itself would not promote much regrowth. I was then put a high dose of prednisone titrating down over the last 4 months while staying on the sulfasalazine. I have had amazing regrowth in the last 4 months...I am AU. I now have eyelashes, eyebrows (with injections) had to shave my legs this summer...and I would say 60-70% regrowth on my head. I am almost finished taking the prednisone and I see my Dermatologist Oct 1. He will then determine if I should stay on a low dose of prednisone or go off and just stay on the sulfasalazine....I think he will be excited when he sees me as he was starting to give up hope...next option would be methotrexate. I have also started taking folic acid, vitamin D, B and increased my calcium intake. I fell healthy and really don't notice side effects if I take my meds with food. Hope this helps...but just remember everyone is unique to their own treatment!

Permalink Reply by Starshine on September 20, 2012 at 7:53pm
Wow, thanks Elizabeth and I hope it keeps working for you. How much prednisone and sulpha were you on. So you were on pred, sulphasalazine and injections? I wonder if my doctor will allow that. I am having a hard time getting her to consider prednisone, but I was afraid that the sulpha alone would not work. Did you have any bad side effects?
Permalink Reply by Starshine on September 24, 2012 at 1:28pm

HI Elizabeth. My doctor has decided to do prednisone pulse and methotrexate with the use of sulfasalazine for maintenance treatment. I will start in four weeks (have to have bone scan and start taking calcium and vitamin D). I hope I have good results like you have. Let me know what happens when your doctor takes you off the meds. I am concerned as I have heard that almost everyone has relapses and lose their hair when the meds stop completely. I am also concerned about side effects, but have decided to chance it.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 24, 2012 at 6:09pm

make sure you also ask about being on folic acid, it is necessary to treat side effects. Wow you are doing methotrexate, prednisone and sulfasalazine all at once?

Permalink Reply by Starshine on September 20, 2012 at 7:57pm
Hi Aimee. Yes she suggested it as a pill, but I have come to the conclusion that alone it will not do much. I think you have to use it with other treatments.
Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 20, 2012 at 9:51pm

Hey there, I was started on 2grams of sulfa and titrated up to 3 grams...blood work every week until stable, now every 2 months. Prednisone started at 40mg and titrated down rapidly over a month...saw that it was effective so started back on 40mgx1 month, 20mgx2 months and now at 10mg until I see the Doctor. The injections stopped when oral prednisone started...the injections to my eyebrows where prior to the oral prednisone...they grew back and stayed which led him to try the oral prednisone...doctor was also hesitant to go the prednisone route but I insisted.

Permalink Reply by Starshine on September 26, 2012 at 2:38pm
Elizabeth, have you had any side effects fron the prednisone? My doc has now said that prednisone pulse with a combo of either methotrexate or sulfasalazine ia the way to go. This sounds like a strong combination and I am really concerned about what will happen when the drugs stop. Keep us posted on your progress.
Permalink Reply by Karen Smith on September 23, 2012 at 5:29pm

Hi, My daughter took sulfasalazine 3 gms and was getting her hair back. She developed a rash and had to stop. She also kept getting sick while on the drug. Make sure you are monitored and discontinue if you have side effects. I think it is worth a try.

Permalink Reply by Sunflower25 on September 24, 2012 at 10:50am

I was asked if I wanted to try sulfasalazine as well. I am allergic to sulfa though so I never did!

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 24, 2012 at 6:07pm

My Mother is allergic to sulfa and is on sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis, apparently one can be used even if allergic to the other so check it out you may be able to try it.

Permalink Reply by Jessica on September 29, 2012 at 2:28pm

I used squaric acid for a while and it did cause regrowth but once stopped the hair started to fall out again. Sometimes they would use too much and it would burn my scalp. I personally did not enjoy the treatments but if you believe it is for you and you have talked to your doctor about it, I would say go for it.

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