AS Treatment Options
Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatments
The good news about ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is that great strides have been made in treating it. A typical ankylosing
spondylitis treatment plan of medication, proper exercise, possibly physical therapy, and good posture can reduce inflammation
and relieve pain.5
Medication
The following types of medication are most common ankylosing spondylitis treatment options:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) — ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen sodium (Aleve®), and the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib
(CELEBREX®) — are considered the first line of AS treatment. They are generally effective at reducing inflammation, pain,
and stiffness.5
- DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) are considered when NSAIDs aren't enough. DMARDs can be effective at controlling the
pain and swelling of arthritis of the peripheral joints (limbs, hands, feet), but they are not considered effective in treating
spinal symptoms.6
- TNF blockers — HUMIRA® (adalimumab), ENBREL® (etanercept), and REMICADE® (infliximab) — are the most recent, and promising,
of ankylosing spondylitis medications. TNF blockers can be highly effective at reducing arthritis, not just in peripheral joints, but
in the spine as well.7
Medication treatment path
Recent studies have suggested a standardized set of recommended ankylosing spondylitis treatments. Under these recommendations, NSAIDs
are the first line of treatment.8 Subsequent treatments depend on whether spinal symptoms or peripheral symptoms are being treated:
- For spinal symptoms: If 2 different NSAIDs are deemed ineffective after 3 months each, TNF blockers may then be prescribed.
8
- For peripheral symptoms: If 2 different NSAIDs are deemed ineffective after 3 months each, a DMARD may then be prescribed,
followed by a TNF blocker.8