Diclofenac
50 · 100mg
Diclofenac tablets are an NSAID for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. They come in several strengths and pack sizes. You see the price per tablet for each option.
FromUS$0.31/ tabletView
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term inflammatory condition centred on the spine. The joints and ligaments of the backbone are its main target, though inflammation can appear in other parts of the body too. It usually begins in young adults before the age of 40, and develops gradually rather than arriving suddenly.
Medicines used to treat Ankylosing Spondylitis
Etoricoxib
60 · 90 · 120mg
Etoricoxib is an anti-inflammatory tablet for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and gouty arthritis. It comes in several strengths and pack sizes. Each option lists its price per tablet.
FromUS$0.67/ tabletView
Key points
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis, focused on the joints and ligaments that run along the spine.
- Symptoms generally develop over several months or years and may come and go.
- There is no cure; treatment is aimed at improving quality of life.
How it usually presents
Stiffness and pain often begin around the buttocks and lower back. Mornings tend to be worst, and movement eases the stiffness, which is the opposite of what most mechanical back pain does. Fatigue is common and easily overlooked. Inflammation may also reach the hips and shoulders.
Medicines that calm inflammation
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the first-line treatment for pain and morning stiffness. MayChemist supplies diclofenac 50 mg and 100 mg tablets, meloxicam 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets, celecoxib 100 mg and 200 mg tablets, etoricoxib 60 mg, 90 mg and 120 mg tablets, and Celebrex 100 mg and 200 mg tablets, which contains celecoxib. Ingredient pages cover diclofenac, meloxicam, celecoxib and etoricoxib.
It is thought that steady NSAID use, rather than treatment only during flares, may slow structural progression in some people. Pharmacy partners in India ship to Malaysia in discreet packaging. A pharmacist can advise on whether a particular NSAID suits you.
Keeping the spine mobile
Exercise carries as much weight as medicine. Swimming and physiotherapy directed at the spine help limit stiffening. Watching your posture, and sleeping on a firm, flat mattress with nothing propped under the knees, both support spinal alignment over the years.
When to see a doctor
A painful, watery eye may signal acute uveitis and needs medical attention straight away. Seek advice promptly if symptoms worsen significantly.
What the sources say
- AS is a long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed (NHS).
- Up to 3 in 10 people with AS get acute uveitis, an inflammation of the eye (Healthdirect).
- Some people eventually become severely disabled because bones in their spine fuse in a fixed position and other joints, such as the hips or knees, are damaged (NHS).
Further reading
Last updated