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May 24, 2013
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Medications

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Ankylosing Spondylitis Overview

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that involves the spine, sacroiliac joints, and other joints such as the hips and shoulders. It is in a category of arthritis called spondyloarthropathy. Other spondyloarthropathies include reactive arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Men develop ankylosing spondylitis three times more often than women do. People with ankylosing spondylitis develop the disease prior to age 45. Symptoms include the following:

  • Frequent lower back pain


  • Back stiffness first thing in the morning or after a long rest period


  • Pain or tenderness of the ribs, shoulder blades, hips, thighs, and bony points along the spine


  • Pain and tenderness in joints other than the spine may accompany the condition


  • Eye pain, watery eyes, red eyes, blurred vision, and sensitivity to bright light (The disease sometimes affects the eyes and other organs.)

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Ankylosing Spondylitis, Neurologic Perspective Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term disease that affects the joints near the center of the body, especially the spine and sacroiliac joints. Symptoms inc...learn more >>
Ankylosing Spondylitis, Ophthalmologic Perspective
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Ankylosing Spondylitis, Orthopedic Perspective
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Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Drugs in this class include diclofenac(Cataflam, Voltaren), ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin), ketoprofen(Orudis), naproxen(Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam(Feldene), etodolac(Lodine), indomethacin(Indocin), oxaprozin(Daypro), nabumetone(Relafen), and meloxicam(Mobic).

How NSAIDs work: NSAIDs prevent the body from producing prostaglandins, which have been identified as a cause of pain and inflammation. NSAIDs prevent this by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase(COX) enzymesthat are important in the formation of prostaglandins by cells. Several types of anti-inflammatory agents exist. Doctors recommend NSAIDs as the first type of medicine to try after they initially diagnose ankylosing spondylitis. Some of these drugs may be purchased without a prescription.

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Ankylosing Spondylitis and Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy »

The spondyloarthropathies (SpAs) are a family of related disorders that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis (ReA; also known as Reiter syndrome [RS]), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), spondyloarthropathy associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (USpA), and, possibly, Whipple disease and Behçet disease.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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