Use of Sulfasalazine for Psoriasis: An Evidence-Based Review

Psoriasis is a chronic T-helper (Th)-1/Th-17 mediated inflammatory disease which often requires systemic therapy for skin clearance. Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory medication comprised of sulphapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid and is used in many immune-mediated systemic and skin-limited diseases. Despite having a favourable adverse effect profile and efficacy demonstrated in small randomized trials, it is currently off-label for treatment of psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis in North America. We performed a systematic review to assess outcomes of sulfasalazine for cutaneous psoriasis.