over 24 years of clinical trial experience
since the first HUMIRA trial in 1997.
Your doctor has prescribed HUMIRA for your ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
You probably have questions.
That’s not surprising. Starting on any new treatment plan can often feel overwhelming. The more you know about your prescribed treatment plan, the better prepared you’ll be to follow it.
Doctors have prescribed HUMIRA to help treat ankylosing spondylitis since 2006.
About HUMIRA
More than 1.4 million patients worldwide
have been prescribed HUMIRA for an FDA-approved condition.*
*As of July 2020.
HUMIRA Complete Resources
The resources you need, when you need them.
HUMIRA Complete is more than just a support program. It’s our promise to be there for you with the information and resources you need to start and stay on track with HUMIRA.
Our dedicated Ambassadors* are the heart of HUMIRA Complete.
Your ambassador is there to get to know your unique needs in order to provide you with personalized, 1-to-1 help every step of the way.
Prefer to meet virtually? Ask your Ambassador if virtual visits are available.
You can also ask your Ambassador for help connecting you with resources, such as:
Your Ambassador is always here to help you.
If you have questions or need help accessing the resources above, reach out to your Ambassador or call 1.800.4HUMIRA (1.800.448.6472).
*Nurse Ambassadors are provided by AbbVie and do not work under the direction of your health care professional (HCP) or give medical advice. They are trained to direct patients to their HCP for treatment-related advice, including further referrals.
Eligibility: Available to patients with commercial insurance coverage for HUMIRA® (adalimumab) who meet eligibility criteria. This co-pay assistance program is not available to patients receiving prescription reimbursement under any federal, state, or government-funded insurance programs (for example, Medicare [including Part D], Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Medicaid, TRICARE, Department of Defense, or Veterans Affairs programs) or where prohibited by law. Offer subject to change or termination without notice. Restrictions, including monthly maximums, may apply. This is not health insurance. For full Terms and Conditions, visit HUMIRASavingsCard.com or call 1.800.4HUMIRA for additional information. To learn about AbbVie’s privacy practices and your privacy choices, visit https://abbv.ie/corpprivacy
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis
Understanding a complex condition.
The more you know about ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and what to expect, the easier it may be to understand your condition. This can also help you explain your experience to others.
Different
A different kind of back pain
AS back pain is not like those “mechanical” backaches, which are caused by something you did, like an injury from a fall or a sprain. Back pain from AS is caused by inflammation.
CHRONIC
A chronic and progressive disease
AS is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine or back. It causes inflammation that can lead to chronic back pain, stiffness, and discomfort. Over time, the joints may fuse together, making the spine stiff and rigid, limiting your ability to do everyday activities.
Since AS is chronic, the inflammation that contributes to AS symptoms will likely be persistent. So once you have AS, you may always have it since there is no known cure.
JOINTS
Where it strikes
AS often affects the joints where the bottom of the spine meets the pelvic bone. It may also involve the shoulders, ribs, hips, knees, and feet.
Multiple Causes
A combination of causes
The exact cause of AS is unknown, but doctors believe it is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune-related factors.
Who is at Risk for Ankylosing Spondylitis
A combination of factors.
Anyone can get ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but there are risk factors that may increase your chances. Talk to your doctor to learn more about possible risk factors.
How Your Immune System Triggers Inflammation
The immune system/inflammation connection.
Normally the immune system protects your body by attacking disease-causing germs, including bacteria and viruses. But with ankylosing spondylitis(AS), the immune system becomes overactive.
Immune System Overreacts
The immune system mistakenly sends white blood cells rushing to the joints of your spine.
A chain reaction
This sets off a cascade of reactions causing activation of other cells and proteins involved in inflammatory response, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
Inflammation
The result is chronic inflammation that can cause AS back pain and stiffness.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms
Unique pain and stiffness.
The most common ankylosing spondylitis symptoms are:
Pain can become worse with periods of rest and inactivity and improve with movement and exercise.
Over time, symptoms can worsen and affect other parts of your body.
Pain and inflammation may move to the upper spine, rib cage, hips, shoulders, knees, ankles, toes, and fingers.
Inflammation can cause the bones and joints to grow together, causing your back to lose flexibility and become rigid or limited in movement.
The rib cage may also fuse together, which can limit chest expansion, making breathing difficult.
How HUMIRA Works
How HUMIRA works in your body.
No one knows exactly what causes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but we do know that several proteins produced in your body are involved. One of these proteins your body naturally produces is called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). With AS, your body may produce too much TNF-alpha.
HUMIRA works by targeting excess TNF-alpha and blocking it in order to help reduce inflammation that may contribute to AS symptoms, like pain and stiffness in the lower back, buttocks, and hips.
How HUMIRA Helps Treat Ankylosing Spondylitis
HUMIRA is proven to help reduce back pain and stiffness of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Improved AS symptoms is possible in as little as 2 weeks†
In the same study, of patients using HUMIRA, some patients experienced an improvement in AS back pain and stiffness in as little as 2 weeks. However, it may take up to 3 months or longer to notice improvement.
Measured improvement
In the same study, patients with a 20% improvement in signs and symptoms must have experienced some improvement in at least 3 of the following 4 measures, which were self-reported via questionnaires:
Personal assessments of disease activity
Total back pain
Inflammation (measures by average intensity and duration of morning stiffness)
Physical function (measuring difficulty of daily activities)
*A placebo is a substance that has no physical effect. In a clinical study, it is given to one group of patients, while the drug being tested is given to another group, then the results are compared.
†Individual results may vary.
Additional Safety Information
Before making a decision, get the facts.
Discuss Important Safety Information for HUMIRA with your doctor.
Before you and your doctor make a decision about treatment, you should discuss the Important Safety Information for HUMIRA. Talk about any concerns you may have. Working together, you and your doctor can find a treatment that is right for you.
What is the most important information I should know about HUMIRA?
You should discuss the potential benefits and risks of HUMIRA with your doctor. HUMIRA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicine that can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. You should not start taking HUMIRA if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor says it is okay.
- Serious infections have happened in people taking HUMIRA. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your doctor should test you for TB before starting HUMIRA, and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with HUMIRA, even if your TB test was negative. If your doctor feels you are at risk, you may be treated with medicine for TB.
- Cancer. For children and adults taking TNF blockers, including HUMIRA, the chance of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. There have been cases of unusual cancers in children, teenagers, and young adults using TNF blockers. Some people have developed a rare type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. This type of cancer often results in death. If using TNF blockers including HUMIRA, your chance of getting two types of skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell) may increase. These types are generally not life-threatening if treated; tell your doctor if you have a bump or open sore that doesn’t heal.
Learn about the most common side effects of HUMIRA.
Common side effects of HUMIRA include injection site reactions (pain, redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising), upper respiratory infections (sinus infections), headaches, rash, and nausea. These are not all of the possible side effects with HUMIRA. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
It is possible to experience adverse events or side effects from HUMIRA. If you do experience any side effects, call your doctor right away. These are not all of the possible side effects associated with HUMIRA. Click here to see additional Important Safety Information.