title: Sulfasalazine and dermatitis herpetiformis.
abstract: Dermatitis herpetiformis that is unable to be controlled using dapsone and a gluten-free diet presents a therapeutic challenge. Three cases that responded well to sulfasalazine are presented. Two cases, who were unable to tolerate dapsone, had a rapid response to sulfasalazine, without apparent side-effects. The third case with dapsone-responsive blistering dermatoses, presumed to be dermatitis herpetiformis on the basis of serology, showed an excellent clinical response to sulfasalazine, but after 6 weeks of therapy had to cease it because of side-effects. Sulfasalazine is metabolized variably to sulfapyridine, a sulphonamide known to be an effective therapy for dermatitis herpetiformis but no longer available. Sulfasalazine should be considered as a management option for dermatitis herpetiformis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Willsteed
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Li Chuen
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000752:Anemia, Pernicious; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D012460:Sulfasalazine