Axonal neuropathy with prolonged sulphasalazine use.

Sulphasalazine, one of the 5-amino-salicylates, is widely used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and arthritis. Among the reported adverse effects are blood dyscrasias and hepatic failure. Peripheral neuropathy has been reported as a rare adverse drug reaction to sulphasalazine. Most reported patients developed symptoms several weeks after onset of treatment. We describe a patient with an axonal polyneuropathy that occurred after two years of treatment with sulphasalazine.