Osteoarthritis Medication

Among the drugs that are commonly used as osteoarthritis medication are acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs are effective at relieving pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. A few other drugs that a healthcare provider may prescribe for treating osteoarthritis include hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids, and mild narcotic pain relievers. Most of the drugs used to treat osteoarthritis have potential side effects. A few of these side effects include heartburn, dizziness, and abdominal pain (or stomach pain).

 

An Overview of Osteoarthritis Medications

Healthcare providers prescribe osteoarthritis medication to eliminate or reduce pain and to improve functioning. But not every medicine is right for every situation. Therefore, healthcare providers consider a number of factors when choosing medicines for a particular person. Some of these factors include:
 
  • The intensity of the pain
  • The potential side effects of the medicine
  • Other medical conditions the person has
  • Other medications the person is taking
  • Other osteoarthritis medicines that have been tried in the past.
     
The following types of medicines are commonly used for treating osteoarthritis:
 

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (
 Tylenol®) is often the first osteoarthritis medication doctors recommend for their patients, since it is safe relative to some other drugs and it is effective against pain. The medicine is a pain reliever, but it does not reduce swelling. Acetaminophen does not irritate the stomach and is less likely than NSAIDs to cause long-term side effects. Research has shown that acetaminophen relieves pain as effectively as NSAIDs for many patients with osteoarthritis.
 
Among the people who should use acetaminophen with caution are those with liver disease, those who drink alcohol heavily, and those who take blood-thinning medicines or NSAIDs.
 
(Osteoarthritis Medication Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD