Does the intake of folic acid needs to be increased while taking sulfasalazine during a pregnancy?

YES!!!: Sulfasalazine increases need for folic acid. Because Folic Acid is most important in the first weeks of pregnancy those on sulfasalazine should take at least 1000 mcg/day prior to getting pregnant. About 1/3 of people have difficulty converting Folic Acid to the active form, l-5-mthf, so to be safe it is be best to take the l-5-mthf form. See http://www.Naturalnews.Com/drugwatch_sulfasalazine.Html.