Symptoms of overdose can be similar to the medication’s side effects, but are usually more severe. Overdose with the aminosalicylate sulfasalazine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, headache, unconsciousness, lack of appetite (anorexia), abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Overdose can lead to complications that are potentially life-threatening, including the development of:

• Hemolytic anemia (condition marked by inadequate number of red blood cells)
  
  
• Agranulocytosis (condition marked by insufficient number of white blood cells)
  
  
• Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
  
  
• Acidosis (condition marked by excessive acid in the body fluids)
  
  
• Jaundice (condition in which the skin, mucous membranes and whites of the eyes appear yellow as a result of excess bilirubin that cannot be processed by the liver)

Although little is known about the potential for overdose with other aminosalicylates, overdose of olsalazine appears to cause decreased motor activity and diarrhea. Patients exhibiting such symptoms should contact their physician immediately.