Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms

Medical Specialist Locator

REMICADE News
and Updates

Early ankylosing spondylitis (AS) symptoms can vary from person to person. Most often, symptoms begin slowly over the course of several months. Some people, however, describe pain and muscle spasms that appear suddenly, almost overnight. Fatigue, muscle spasms, and poor sleep quality when ankylosing spondylitis symptoms first appear can cause activities that were once easy and enjoyable to become exhausting and difficult.

Telltale symptoms to look out for include:

Gradual onset of low back pain and stiffness over a period of weeks or months
Duration of back pain longer than three months
Early-morning stiffness in your lower back that is improved by a warm shower or light exercise
Arthritis-like pain in other areas of your body, such as the buttocks or neck
Pain, tingling, and numbness in the buttocks and leg
Fatigue
Fever

In advanced stages, complications associated with AS include:

Inflammation of different parts of the eye (uveitis or iritis)
Chronic inflammation and progressive scarring of the lung wall (pulmonary fibrosis)
Restricted expansion of your chest
Chronic stooping
Stiff, inflexible spine

Sometimes other conditions, such as back pain or undifferentiated arthritis, can cause symptoms that appear to be similar to those of AS. Regardless of whether you have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, you should consult a rheumatologist if you experience any symptoms that are typical of AS or if you experience chronic back pain.

Because other conditions can be confused with AS — and because AS is a chronic condition that progresses over time — it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Only your doctor can recommend a course of treatment after checking your health condition. REMICADE^® (infliximab) can cause serious side effects such as lowering your ability to fight infections. There are reports of serious infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body, including tuberculosis (TB) and histoplasmosis. Some of these infections have been fatal. Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with REMICADE^®.
Unusual cancers have been reported in children and teenage patients taking TNF-blocker medicines. A rare form of fatal lymphoma has occurred mostly in teenage or young adult males with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who were taking REMICADE^® and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. For children and adults taking TNF blockers, including REMICADE^®, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. You should discuss any concerns about your health and medical care with your doctor.

What should I tell my doctor before I take REMICADE^®?

You should let your doctor know if you have or ever had any of the following:

Tuberculosis (TB) or have been near someone who has TB. Your doctor will check you for TB with a skin test. If you have latent (inactive) TB, you will begin TB treatment before you start REMICADE^®.
Lived in a region where certain fungal infections such as histoplasmosis or coccidioidomycosis are common.
Infections that keep coming back, have diabetes or an immune system problem.
Any type of cancer or a risk factor for developing cancer, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or had phototherapy for psoriasis.
Heart failure or any heart condition. Many people with heart failure should not take REMICADE^®.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or think you may be a carrier of HBV.
Nervous system disorders (such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome).

Also tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including vaccines or Kineret (anakinra), and if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are nursing. Adults and children should not receive a live vaccine while REMICADE^®.

What should I watch for and talk to my doctor about before or while taking REMICADE^®?

The following serious (sometimes fatal) side effects have been reported in people taking REMICADE^®.

You should tell your doctor right away if you have any of the signs listed below:

Infections (such as TB, blood infections, pneumonia)—fever, tiredness, cough, flu, or warm, red or painful skin or any open sores. REMICADE^® can make you more likely to get an infection or make any infection that you have worse.
Lymphoma, or any other cancers in adults and children.
Heart failure—new or worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
Reactivation of HBV—feeling unwell, poor appetite, tiredness, fever, skin rash and/or joint pain.
Liver injury—jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), dark brown urine, right-sided abdominal pain, fever, or severe tiredness.
Blood disorders—fever that doesn't go away, bruising, bleeding or severe paleness.
Nervous system disorders—numbness, weakness, tingling, changes in your vision or seizures.
Allergic reactions during or after the infusion—hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, swelling of face and hands, and fever or chills.
Lupus-like syndrome—chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. The more common side effects with REMICADE^® are respiratory infections (that may include sinus infections and sore throat), headache, rash, coughing and stomach pain.
Psoriasis—new or worsening psoriasis such as red scaly patches or raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus.

Medication Guide for REMICADE^®

Please read the Medication Guide for REMICADE^® and discuss it with your doctor.
(Requires Adobe^® Reader^®. Click here to download.)

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION | Privacy Policy | Legal Notice | Site Map | About Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.

© Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. 1999-2010
This site is published by Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. which is solely responsible for its contents.
It is intended for residents from the United States.
Last Updated: April 13, 2010