What is
ankylosing
spondylitis (AS)?

Understanding AS

In Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) the overactive immune system overproduces proteins that can ultimately result in pain, stiffness, swelling, and immobility. AS is detected by an X-ray.

With AS, severe pain and fatigue makes its difficult to live your best life. It heavily reduces mobility, and the back pain makes you want to stop moving altogether.

Ready to feel like yourself again?

Ask your rheumatologist if
BIMZELX is right for you

Discussion tools

How to describe your symptoms

To better communicate with your rheumatologist, remember to actively chart your pain, fatigue, and quality of life. This helps them see if your treatment plan is working.

Most common areas of the body for AS symptoms:

Back
Sacroiliac joints (between the pelvis and spine)

Tips to track
your symptoms

Keep a dedicated journal in a notebook or an app to record symptoms.
Identify and track the location and severity of your back pain, stiffness, and other symptoms.
Detail how comfortable you are with everyday activities like climbing stairs or tying your shoes.
Share your symptom notes with your rheumatologist so they can assess how your treatment plan is working.

Causes & triggers

While the exact cause is unknown, AS inflammation is driven by multiple factors, including the environment and genetics. Understanding what can cause inflammation, and what makes it worse, can help you gain better control.

Here are a few of the more common triggers:

Immune system dysfunction:

AS is a progressive chronic inflammatory condition that stems from an overstimulated immune system. The immune system defends the body against infection and even protects the body from its own cells. An overactive immune system can generate inflammation in joints.

Genetics:

Individuals with a family history of AS may be at a higher risk.

Injury and physical stress:

Physical injury or trauma to joints or enthesis can trigger AS inflammation. Even minor injuries or repetitive stress can lead to inflammation.

AS facts
vs myths

See how solid your understanding of AS is by answering the questions below.

Fact or Myth #1

Dietary choices may help you manage your AS symptoms.

Nice, you nailed it

Though evidence is limited, keeping an eye on your diet and adding more green beans, fruits, nuts, olive oil, and fish to your diet are good steps to take if you have AS. Be sure to talk to your rheumatologist before making any changes to your diet.

Oops, you're a little off

Fact or Myth #2

AS isn't linked to other medical conditions.

That's correct

Ankylosing spondylitis can lead to joint fusion. Additionally, psoriasis, eye problems, inflammatory bowel disease, and osteoporosis are common comorbidities. Learn more about comorbidities with your rheumatologist.

You just missed it

Fact or Myth #3

Diet, physical stress, and injury could trigger AS inflammation.

Nice, you're spot on

While not fully understood, environmental factors might worsen AS symptoms. Diet, physical stress, and injuries can have an effect. You can talk with your rheumatologist to explore what might uniquely affect your condition.

Stress will get you every time

Fact or Myth #4

Active AS is associated with great mobility and zero pain.

You saw right through that one

AS generally affects your quality of life. It can significantly restrict your spinal movement, causing greater pain and even disability.

That was an easy one to miss

AS generally affects your quality of life. It can significantly restrict your spinal movement, causing greater pain and even disability.

Fact or Myth #5

There's not much you can do if your biologic treatment isn't working as well as it should.

Ending on a high note!

AS biologic treatments work differently. Ask your rheumatologist about the only biologic that targets and blocks both IL-17A + IL-17F.

Don’t sweat, there are options

AS biologic treatments work differently. Ask your rheumatologist about the only biologic that targets and blocks both IL-17A + IL-17F.

Did you catch all the facts?
Did you miss any myths?

Whether you’re an expert or have more to learn, answering a few questions about how your AS affects you can help you start a conversation with your rheumatologist about your treatment options.

Ready to get started?

Discussion tools

Savings opportunities &
personalized Nurse Navigator
support

If eligible, pay as little as $5 per dose.*
Tailored nurse support and helpful online
resources to keep your treatment moving forward.^†

*For eligible, commercially insured patients only. View complete eligibility requirements and terms at www.bimzelx.com/patient-support/navigate-benefits.

^†Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.

Learn more

^†Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.

Get the latest on BIMZELX. Learn more and start to get yourself back.

No matter where you are in your journey—whether seeking information on BIMZELX or looking for patient resources—we have your
back. Sign up for information and support.

All fields are required.

First name

Last name

Email address

I am interested in learning about BIMZELX because:

I have a prescription or am treating my active ankylosing spondylitis with BIMZELX.

I am exploring treatments for my active ankylosing spondylitis.

By providing this information, you acknowledge that you are a US resident, are 18 years or older, and give UCB and its business partners permission to send you information or contact you
regarding this disease, as well as information on related treatments, products, and services, and for marketing and informational purposes by phone, email, and mail.

You may remove yourself from the mailing list at any time by unsubscribing. View our Privacy Policy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

BIMZELX is a medicine that affects your immune system and may increase your risk of serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and behavior, serious infections including tuberculosis, liver problems, and inflammatory bowel disease.

BIMZELX^® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with active ankylosing spondylitis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab-bkzx)?

BIMZELX is a medicine that affects your immune system. BIMZELX may increase your risk of having serious side effects, including:

Suicidal thoughts and behavior have happened in some people treated with BIMZELX. Get medical help right away or call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you, your caregiver or your family member notice in you any of the following symptoms:
- new or worsening depression or anxiety
- thoughts of suicide, dying, or hurting yourself
- changes in behavior or mood
- acting on dangerous impulses
- attempt to commit suicide
Infections. BIMZELX is a medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections, including serious infections.
- Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with BIMZELX.
- If your healthcare provider feels you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with BIMZELX and during your treatment.
- Your doctor should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with BIMZELX. Do not take BIMZELX if you have an active TB infection.

Before starting BIMZELX, tell your healthcare provider if you:

are being treated for an infection
have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back
have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB
think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:
- fever, sweats, or chills
- muscle aches
- cough
- shortness of breath
- blood in your phlegm
- weight loss
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal

After starting BIMZELX, call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the signs of infection listed above. Do not use BIMZELX if you have any signs of infection unless you are instructed to by your healthcare provider. See “What are the possible side effects of BIMZELX?” for more information about side effects.

What is BIMZELX?

BIMZELX is a prescription medicine used to treat:

adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills (phototherapy)
adults with active psoriatic arthritis
adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation
adults with active ankylosing spondylitis
adults with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

It is not known if BIMZELX is safe and effective in children.

Before using BIMZELX, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about BIMZELX?”
have a history of depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
have liver problems
have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with BIMZELX.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIMZELX can harm your unborn baby.
- If you become pregnant while taking BIMZELX, you are encouraged to enroll in the Pregnancy Registry, which is used to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider or call 1-877-311-8972 to enroll in this registry or visit http://mothertobaby.org/pregnancy-studies/.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BIMZELX passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with BIMZELX.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of BIMZELX?

BIMZELX may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about BIMZELX?”

Elevated liver enzyme levels. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver enzyme levels before starting treatment and during treatment with BIMZELX. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or permanently stop your treatment with BIMZELX if you develop liver problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of liver problems, including:
- pain on the right side of your stomach-area
- feeling very tired
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- itching
- dark urine
- light-colored stool
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
Inflammatory bowel disease. New cases of inflammatory bowel disease or “flare-ups” have happened with BIMZELX. If you have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), tell your healthcare provider if you have worsening disease symptoms during treatment with BIMZELX or develop new or worsening signs of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

The most common side effects of BIMZELX in people treated for psoriasis and moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa include: upper respiratory tract infections, headache, herpes simplex infections (cold sores in or around the mouth), small red bumps on your skin, feeling tired, fungal infections (oral thrush or infection in the mouth, throat, skin, nails, feet, or genitals), pain, redness or swelling at injection site, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), and acne.

The most common side effects of BIMZELX in people treated for psoriatic arthritis include: upper respiratory tract infections, headache, urinary tract infections, oral thrush or infections in the mouth, and diarrhea.

The most common side effects of BIMZELX in people treated for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis include: upper respiratory tract infections, headache, cough, joint pain, tonsillitis, urinary tract infections, oral thrush or infections in the mouth, diarrhea, feeling tired, muscle aches, and an increase in liver enzyme levels.

The most common side effects of BIMZELX in people treated for ankylosing spondylitis include: upper respiratory tract infections, headache, pain at injection site, vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush or infections in the mouth, diarrhea, and rash.

These are not all of the possible side effects of BIMZELX. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Use BIMZELX exactly as your doctor tells you to use it.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088.

What is ankylosing spondylitis (AS)?