X
Indications

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone. Read More

ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light). 
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. 
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older. Close
banner-img

What is
ankylosing
spondylitis (AS)?

What is AS_desktop

What is ankylosing spondylitis (AS)?

AS is a lifelong condition that causes the joints of your spine to hurt and stiffen.
About 600,000 adults in the United States have it.

AS is a lifelong condition that causes the joints of your spine to hurt and stiffen. About 600,000 adults in the United States have it.

  • OVERVIEW
  • Symptoms

Take a few minutes to learn more about ankylosing spondylitis.

  • How does AS affect your body?

    Illustration of human joint Illustration of human joint

    Ankylosing spondylitis usually affects the joints between your spine, and it almost always affects the area where your spine meets your pelvis. It also causes swelling at the spot where connective tissue joins the bone. In many people, joints of the arms and legs can also be affected.

    See what ENBREL does in response.

  • What are common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

    Man attempting to relieve his back pain Man attempting to relieve his back pain

    Most people with AS feel pain and stiffness in their lower back and/or hips. That pain is usually worse in the morning, and it may get better after light exercise. There are other signs as well. Some people have pain and stiffening in the shoulders, ribs, knees, and feet. Others feel tired or have trouble taking deep breaths.

  • Who gets ankylosing spondylitis?

    Man in his twenties looks relieved he no longer suffers from back pain Man in his twenties looks relieved he no longer suffers from back pain

    Anyone can get ankylosing spondylitis, but it’s more common in men than in women. Typically, people with AS start to see symptoms before the age of 45. But symptoms can start at any age. There is a family connection with AS, so if a family member has ankylosing spondylitis, you are more likely to get it. Doctors will often look for a specific gene called HLA-B27. Having that gene puts you at higher risk, but not everyone who has the gene will develop AS.

  • Is your ankylosing spondylitis getting worse?

    X-ray view of the male spinal chord illustration X-ray view of the male spinal chord illustration

    The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis can get worse over time. The pain and stiffness may begin in your lower back but can later spread to other joints in your body. AS can make your back stiffer, and joints in your spine can fuse together. This can cause problems with standing up straight or sitting up straight. You can use the Appointment Guide below to help you start a conversation with your doctor.


    Download an ENBREL Appointment Guide.

7 common symptoms of
ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

The symptoms of AS are often similar to other back conditions. That’s why doctors use blood tests and X-rays in addition to looking for these common symptoms to come to a proper diagnosis.

7-Common

Lower back pain that is worse after rest or sleeping (lasting more than 3 months)

7-Common

Morning stiffness (typically lasting over 30 minutes but can last much longer)

7-Common

Pain or stiffness in the shoulders, back, ribs, hips, knees, or feet

7-Common

Limited range of motion (your ability to move your joints) in your spine, neck, and other joints

7-Common

Difficulty expanding your chest (like when you take a deep breath)

7-Common

Tiredness

7-Common

Symptoms can get better with exercise

Signs to look out for

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can get worse over time. At first, people often feel pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. These symptoms can persist for 3 months or longer. Many people notice that these symptoms are worse in the morning but seem to get better with light exercise.

Your back can become stiffer over time and—in some people—joints in the spine can fuse together. This can cause problems with standing up straight or sitting up straight. That’s why it’s important to work with your rheumatologist to find the best way to manage your condition.

See the results of a medical study that examined ENBREL and AS patients.

icon-discussion-guide

Doctor Discussion Guide

Use this simple guide to help your doctor understand how your AS is impacting your life, and ask whether ENBREL is right for you.

Download the Doctor Discussion Guide  »
+ See More

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about ENBREL?

ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune

ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections
have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have

 
― Close
Prescription Enbrel® (etanercept) is taken (given) by injection.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about ENBREL?

ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.

There have been some cases of unusual cancers, some resulting in death, reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA may be more likely to get lymphoma.

Before starting ENBREL, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • Have any existing medical conditions
  • Are taking any medicines, including herbals
  • Think you have, are being treated for, have signs of, or are prone to infection. You should not start taking ENBREL if you have any kind of infection, unless your healthcare provider says it is okay
  • Have any open cuts or sores
  • Have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system
  • Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has had TB
  • Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure
  • Live, have lived in, or traveled to certain parts of the country (such as, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, or the Southwest) where there is a greater risk for certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take ENBREL. If you don’t know if these infections are common in the areas you’ve been to, ask your healthcare provider
  • Have or have had hepatitis B
  • Have or have had heart failure
  • Develop symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking ENBREL
  • Use the medicine Kineret (anakinra), Orencia (abatacept), or Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
  • Are taking anti-diabetic medicines
  • Have, have had, or develop a serious nervous disorder, seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Are scheduled to have surgery
  • Have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting ENBREL. Patients taking ENBREL should not receive live vaccines.
  • Are allergic to rubber or latex
  • Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • Have been around someone with chicken pox

What are the possible side effects of ENBREL?

ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: New infections or worsening of infections you already have; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.

Common side effects include: Injection site reactions and upper respiratory infections (sinus infections).

In general, side effects in children were similar in frequency and type as those seen in adult patients. The types of infections reported were generally mild and similar to those usually seen in children.

These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider. 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.

Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

Indications

Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.

Psoriatic Arthritis

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.

Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.

Moderately to Severely Active Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Amgen is under license.

Please see the full Prescribing Information, Important Safety Information, and Medication Guide for more details about ENBREL.

References: 1. Parsabiv® (etelcalcetide) prescribing information, Amgen. 2. Data on file, Amgen; [Summary of Clinical Efficacy; 2015]. 3. Alexander ST, et al. Mol Pharmacol. 2015;88:853-865. 4. Data on file, Amgen; [Report R20130052, 2014]. 5. Chen P, et al. CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol. 2016;5:484-494. 6. Sensipar® (cinacalcet) prescribing information, Amgen. 7. Ma JN, et al. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2011;337:275-284.
X
Cookies help us improve your website experience.
By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.
Confirm