Aceclofenac Tablets
Aceclofenac
100/200mg
Aceclofenac Tablets is a painkillers medication containing Aceclofenac, available as 100/200mg tablets.
from
$0.38
/ tablet
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Ankylosing Spondylitis
11 medicines
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis of the spine and sacroiliac joints that causes progressive stiffness and pain. NSAIDs such as naproxen and celecoxib are the frontline treatment.
Voltaren SR
Diclofenac
100mg
Voltaren SR is a painkillers medication containing Diclofenac, available as 100mg tablets.
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$0.64
/ tablet
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Key facts
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term inflammatory condition that targets the spine and the sacroiliac joints at the base of the back; over time it can fuse vertebrae and reduce flexibility.
- The first signs are usually pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks, worst on waking and easing with movement, the opposite of most mechanical back pain. A genetic marker called HLA-B27 is present in most people with the condition.
- NSAIDs are the frontline treatment: naproxen, diclofenac, meloxicam, celecoxib, indometacin, and piroxicam are all used to control pain and morning stiffness.
- See a doctor promptly if you develop eye redness and pain alongside AS symptoms; this can be uveitis, which needs urgent treatment to protect vision.
The pattern of symptoms
Pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks are typically the first signs, worst on waking and easing with movement. Fatigue is common and often underestimated. Inflammation can extend beyond the spine to the hips, shoulders, and occasionally the eyes, causing acute anterior uveitis. Symptoms usually begin in early adulthood, and men are diagnosed roughly two to three times more often than women, though women may have milder spinal changes that are harder to spot on imaging.
Managing inflammation and staying mobile
NSAIDs, found in the pain management range, are the frontline treatment for pain and morning stiffness: naproxen, diclofenac, meloxicam, and celecoxib among them. Indometacin has been used in AS for decades and stays effective for flares; piroxicam offers a once-daily option for those who find dosing adherence a challenge.
Sustained NSAID use, not just on-demand, is thought to slow radiographic progression in some patients. Exercise, particularly swimming and targeted physiotherapy, matters as much as medication: keeping the spine mobile counters the tendency to stiffen. Posture awareness and sleeping on a firm, flat surface without a pillow under the knees also help preserve spinal alignment over the years.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if back pain and stiffness follow this waking pattern and don't improve. Seek prompt care if symptoms worsen significantly or you develop eye redness and pain: uveitis linked to AS requires urgent treatment to protect vision.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.