What medications are used for ankylosing spondylitis?

Generally speaking, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. Common symptoms include low back pain and stiffness. Patients may take medications such as celecoxib capsules, methotrexate tablets, adalimumab injection, sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, and etanercept injection according to medical advice. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Celecoxib Capsules

Celecoxib belongs to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). By inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 activity and reducing prostaglandin synthesis, it alleviates inflammation, relieves joint pain and stiffness, and is suitable for symptomatic treatment during active stages of the disease, improving patients' ability to perform daily activities.

2. Methotrexate Tablets

Methotrexate is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. By inhibiting folate metabolism and interfering with immune cell proliferation and inflammatory factor release, it delays joint and spinal lesion progression. It is commonly used for patients who respond poorly to NSAIDs or have severe disease, helping control disease activity.

3. Adalimumab Injection

Adalimumab is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist. It specifically binds to TNF, blocking its mediated inflammatory response, reducing synovial inflammation and bone destruction in joints. It is suitable for patients with moderate to severe active ankylosing spondylitis, especially when traditional medications are ineffective.

4. Sulfasalazine Enteric-Coated Tablets

After oral administration, sulfasalazine decomposes in the intestine into 5-aminosalicylic acid and sulfapyridine. The former inhibits intestinal inflammatory response, while the latter modulates immune function. It improves peripheral joint inflammation and intestinal lesions in ankylosing spondylitis and is suitable for patients with peripheral joint involvement.

5. Etanercept Injection

Etanercept is a soluble TNF receptor fusion protein that binds to TNF, preventing its interaction with cell surface receptors, thereby suppressing inflammatory responses and relieving spinal and joint pain and stiffness. It is suitable for patients with moderate to severe active ankylosing spondylitis.

Patients should maintain proper standing and sitting posture, avoid prolonged bending or sitting, and engage in appropriate back and abdominal muscle exercises such as swimming and yoga. Spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and ginger should be avoided as they may exacerbate inflammation and hinder disease control. Additionally, patients with gastrointestinal diseases, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or other conditions should inform their physician about their medical history before medication use.