Sulfasalazine (brand name Azulfidine in the U.S., Salazopyrin and Sulazine in Europe and Hong Kong) was developed over 70 years ago specifically to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It was believed at the time that bacterial infections were the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Sulfasalazine is a sulfa drug, (a derivative of mesalazine) and is formed by combining sulfapyridine and salicylate with an azo bond. It may be abbreviated SSZ.
Read more about Sulfasalazine: Indications, Mode of Action, Side Effects