AS TREATMENT CLASS CHEAT SHEET
StormIt patient tool - updated June 10, 2026

This is a plain-language map for discussion with your clinician.

FOUNDATION
- Exercise, physiotherapy, posture, sleep, not smoking.
- This stays in the plan even when medicines work.

NSAIDS
- Examples: naproxen, celecoxib, ibuprofen, diclofenac, meloxicam.
- Role: first-line symptom and inflammation control when safe.
- Watch: stomach bleeding, kidney function, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk.

TNF INHIBITORS
- Examples: adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab, certolizumab, etanercept.
- Role: common first biologic class after inadequate NSAID response.
- Often favored when recurrent uveitis or IBD matters, especially TNF monoclonal antibodies.
- Watch: infection risk, TB/hepatitis screening, demyelinating disease/heart failure cautions.

IL-17 INHIBITORS
- Examples: secukinumab, ixekizumab, bimekizumab.
- Role: strong axial disease evidence; often attractive when psoriasis is prominent.
- Watch: candidiasis/yeast, IBD worsening or new IBD symptoms.
- Bimekizumab label watch: mood changes/suicidal ideation, serious infection symptoms, TB screening, liver tests, IBD symptoms, live-vaccine timing.

JAK INHIBITORS
- Examples: upadacitinib, tofacitinib.
- Role: oral targeted therapy; U.S. AS labels checked for this guide place them after inadequate response/intolerance to TNF blocker therapy.
- Upadacitinib also has U.S. nr-axSpA label language when objective inflammation is present after TNF blocker therapy.
- Watch: boxed warning, infections, shingles, CBC/liver/lipids, thrombosis/MACE/malignancy risk discussion.

ACCESS NOTE
- The common pathway is not universal. Labels, insurance, public formularies, biosimilar rules, country/province policy and rheumatologist judgment vary.