Introduction: The first-line treatment of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is followed by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (the main treatment for patients not responding to NSAIDs) or drugs targetting the IL-23/IL-17 pathway. The efficacy of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine (SSZ) has not been demonstrated, although SSZ can be considered in patients with concomitant peripheral arthritis.
Areas covered: This review describes the beneficial and toxicological effects of the drugs used to treat axial SpA.
Expert commentary: Growing concerns about the safety of anti-TNF drugs underline the need to ensure that all clinicians are capable of taking appropriate preventive action and adequately treating affected patients.
Keywords: Axial SpA; anti-IL17 drugs; anti-TNF drugs; cardiovascular disease; infections.