Yes, you can take other medicines if your doctor has prescribed them, or has told you it's okay to take them while you're taking HUMIRA. It's important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking for other conditions (for example, high blood pressure medicine) before you start taking HUMIRA. You should also tell your doctor about any over-the-counter drugs, painkillers, herbal medicines, and vitamin and mineral supplements you're taking.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is best described as symptomatic sacral iliitis. That is, all patients have x-ray findings in the sacroiliac joint. Typically the pain starts as an insidious onset in the third decade in the low back and gradually climbs up the spine. Men tend to have more classic x-ray findings of sacro-iliitis - squaring of the vertebral bodies and eventual ankylosing or spontaneous fusion of the vertebral bodies together.

Yes, you can take other medicines if your doctor has prescribed them, or has told you it's okay to take them while you're taking HUMIRA. It's important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking for other conditions (for example, high blood pressure medicine) before you start taking HUMIRA. You should also tell your doctor about any over-the-counter drugs, painkillers, herbal medicines, and vitamin and mineral supplements you're taking.

Although the exact cause of AS is unknown, we do know that genetics play a key role. Most individuals who have AS also have a gene that produces a "genetic marker" - in this case, a protein - called HLA-B27. This marker is found in over 95% of people of European ancestry with AS. However, scientists know that other genes, along with a triggering environmental factor, such as a bacterial infection, are needed to trigger AS in susceptible people.

A thorough physical exam including x-rays, individual medical history, and a family history of AS, as well as blood work including a possible test for HLA-B27 are factors in making a diagnosis. Click here for more information in our AS Diagnosis section.

Exercise is essential. A common treatment regimen involves medication, exercise and physical therapy, and good posture practices. Click here for more information in our AS Treatment section.

HUMIRA is a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, also called a biologic DMARD, or simply "biologic." Biologics are a class of advanced medications approved for reducing the signs and symptoms of active AS. Other biologic DMARDs include ENBREL® (etanercept) and REMICADE® (infliximab). ENBREL is self-injected and REMICADE requires a visit to a health care professional to administer the medication by intravenous infusion (IV).

The type of physician who primarily diagnoses and treats ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases is called a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists treat arthritis, certain autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain disorders and osteoporosis. There are more than 100 types of these diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Other professionals can also help treat AS and related diseases such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc.

The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, but a tendency to develop the condition may be genetic (passed down from parents to children). Most people with this condition are born with a particular gene, HLA-B27.1 But having the HLA-B27 gene does not mean that you will develop ankylosing spondylitis. Current research suggests that both the environment and bacterial infections may also have roles in triggering ankylosing spondylitis.1

Ankylosing spondylitis causes mild to severe back and buttock pain that is often worse in the early morning hours. This pain usually gets better with activity. It most often begins in the teens through the 30s and develops gradually. In time, continued inflammation of the ligaments, tendons, joint capsules (soft tissues surrounding the joint), and joints of the spine will cause the spine to fuse together (ankylose), leading to less motion in the neck and low back.

You take HUMIRA by giving yourself an injection under the skin, usually once every other week (after your initial starting doses). HUMIRA cannot be taken by mouth. Ask your doctor to show you or a caregiver how to inject HUMIRA. If you accidentally take more HUMIRA than you were told to take, you should call your doctor. Make sure you have been shown how to inject HUMIRA before you do it yourself.

Ankylosing spondylitis is inflammation primarily of the joints of the spine, but it can also involve inflammation of the eye, other joints (especially the hips) and, on occasion, the heart, lungs, and chest wall. If the inflammation continues over time, it will lead to scarring and permanent damage. In some people, the disease is mild and progresses slowly, and symptoms never become severe. Other people may have a more aggressive disease process.

The recommended dose of HUMIRA for adult patients with psoriatic arthritis is 40mg (milligrams) every other week. Always follow your doctor's instructions about when and how often to take HUMIRA. You should talk to your doctor about the dosage and frequency of your injections. Your doctor can advise you whether to adjust your medication based on how you're doing and what other medications you may be taking.

Ankylosing spondylitis cannot be cured. Anti-inflammatory drugs and exercise are used to manage the condition.

Treatment includes exercise and physical therapy to help reduce stiffness and maintain good posture and mobility, and medicine for pain and inflammation. It is important to get regular eye exams to check for problems in the eye (iritis) that may occur with this condition. You may use an assistive device, such as a cane, that can help to reduce joint stress and inflammation. Surgery for the spine is rarely needed.

Spondylitis (pronounced spon-d-lie-tiss) is the name given to a group of chronic or long lasting diseases also called Spondyloarthritis (spon-dyl-oh-arthritis) or Spondyloarthropathy (spon-d-low-are-throp-ah-thee). These diseases are forms of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affect the spine, although other joints and organs can become involved.