What medications are effective for treating ankylosing spondylitis?
Sep 09, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
In general, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints, the spine, and other areas. Common symptoms include low back pain and stiffness. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as celecoxib capsules, methotrexate tablets, adalimumab injection, sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, and etanercept injection for treatment.
Generally, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints, spine, and other areas. Common symptoms include low back pain and stiffness. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as celecoxib capsules, methotrexate tablets, adalimumab injection, sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, and etanercept injection for treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Celecoxib Capsules
Celecoxib belongs to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). By inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 activity and reducing prostaglandin synthesis, it alleviates inflammatory responses, relieves joint pain and stiffness, improves patients' mobility, and is commonly used for symptom control during acute episodes of ankylosing spondylitis.
2. Methotrexate Tablets
Methotrexate is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). By inhibiting folate metabolism and interfering with immune cell proliferation and inflammatory factor release, it delays joint cartilage and bone tissue damage. Long-term use can control disease progression in patients with active disease who show inadequate response to NSAIDs.
3. Adalimumab Injection
Adalimumab is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist. It specifically binds to TNF, blocking its mediated inflammatory response, rapidly relieving joint pain and stiffness, while inhibiting bone erosion and improving spinal mobility. It is suitable for patients with moderate to severe active ankylosing spondylitis.
4. Sulfasalazine Enteric-Coated Tablets
Sulfasalazine decomposes into 5-aminosalicylic acid and sulfapyridine within the intestine. By inhibiting inflammatory mediator synthesis and modulating immune responses, it reduces joint inflammation and alleviates back pain, especially suitable for patients with ankylosing spondylitis accompanied by peripheral joint involvement.
5. Etanercept Injection
Etanercept is a soluble TNF receptor fusion protein. It binds to TNF, inhibiting its biological activity, reducing inflammation, relieving spinal and joint pain and stiffness, and improving patients' quality of life. It is suitable for patients with active ankylosing spondylitis who show inadequate response to traditional drug treatments.
In daily life, it is important to develop good habits, avoid prolonged sitting or standing, engage in appropriate spinal stretching exercises such as swimming and yoga, and avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods like pepper, chili peppers, and garlic, which may exacerbate inflammation and hinder recovery.
