What medications are effective for treating ankylosing spondylitis?
Sep 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
In general, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints and spine. Common symptoms include low back pain, morning stiffness, and limited joint mobility. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as celecoxib capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, methotrexate tablets, sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, and etoricoxib tablets for treatment.
Generally speaking, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine. Common symptoms include low back pain, morning stiffness, and limited joint mobility. Patients may take medications such as celecoxib capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, methotrexate tablets, sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, and etoricoxib tablets according to medical advice. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Celecoxib Capsules
Celecoxib belongs to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). By inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity and reducing prostaglandin synthesis, it alleviates inflammation-induced pain and stiffness and improves joint mobility. It is suitable for symptom control during active disease phases and is well absorbed after oral administration.
2. Diclofenac Sodium Sustained-Release Tablets
This is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits cyclooxygenase activity, blocking the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The sustained-release formulation prolongs the duration of action, making it suitable for long-term pain relief. It shows beneficial effects on both spinal and peripheral joint inflammation after oral administration.
3. Methotrexate Tablets
Methotrexate is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It interferes with immune cell proliferation and inflammatory factor release by inhibiting folate metabolism, thus delaying joint and spinal bone destruction and slowing disease progression. Oral administration is commonly used for patients with moderate to severe disease or those who do not respond adequately to NSAIDs.
4. Sulfasalazine Enteric-Coated Tablets
Composed of sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, this medication takes effect after being metabolized in the intestine following oral administration. It can suppress intestinal inflammatory reactions, modulate immune function, and effectively improve peripheral joint inflammation and enthesitis in ankylosing spondylitis. The enteric-coated formulation reduces gastrointestinal irritation.
5. Etoricoxib Tablets
Etoricoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor. After oral administration, it reduces prostaglandin production by inhibiting COX-2, providing clear anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It effectively relieves low back pain and stiffness and is suitable for patients who poorly tolerate other NSAIDs.
Patients should avoid prolonged fixed postures such as sitting or standing for long periods in daily life and engage in appropriate exercises like swimming and back stretching. Diet-wise, they should reduce consumption of spicy or greasy foods, such as chili peppers and fried foods, and eat more foods rich in calcium and vitamins. Patients with underlying conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism should have regular monitoring of related disease indicators during treatment and adjust medication plans accordingly.
