BOF: 2.5
A 35-year-old male is known to
have ulcerative colitis. It is a pan-colitis. He also has enteropathic
arthritis. He has been in long-term remission. He and his wife are being
investigated for subfertility and he has been found to have a low sperm count.
Which of the following drugs is he likely to be on?
a)
Mesalazine
b)
Balsalazide
c)
Sulphasalazine
d)
Azathioprine
e)
Mercaptopurine
Answer:
c)
Patients with ulcerative colitis
can be maintained in remission by using aminosalicylates, azathioprine or
mercaptopurine.
Sulphasalazine
can cause oligospermia. On the whole sulphasalazine has more
side effects than the other aminosalicylates preparations and is less often
used. However, selected patients
such as those with reactive arthritis may benefit.
The thiopurines (azathioprine and
mercaptopurine) have been used in both male and female parents and there have
been no differences in miscarriage, congenital abnormality or infection rate
in a study comparing the thiopurine group and a control group.
