Medications and Arthritis

Medications have effectively been used for many years to treat the signs and symptoms of arthritis. While some medications are specifically designed to reduce pain and inflammation, other promising, new medications are currently being used to halt the progression of arthritic disease. Medications commonly prescribed to treat arthritis include analgesics or pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. There are more than 100 types of medication available to treat arthritis that could dramatically improve your quality of life.

With the revolutionary introduction of biologic response modifiers, new therapies are emerging and showing great efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The common approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been considerably revised in the last decade. Disease remission is now possible for some people and early diagnosis and treatment may be vital in the progression and prognosis of RA. There is a significant chance for extremely successful treatment within the first year of therapy, particularly within the first 3 months of treatment.

Analgesics/Pain Relievers

Analgesics, or pain relievers, are one of the many types of medications used to treat arthritis pain and can play an important role in your treatment. Analgesics may serve as a useful first line treatment in the early stages of your arthritis to reduce minor to moderate joint and muscle pain, and general discomfort. While analgesics treat many different types of pain, they do not treat inflammation, or the primary disease.

There are a wide variety of analgesics available both by prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some of the most common analgesics are aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen and they are readily available at your neighborhood pharmacies and grocery stores.

Before beginning treatment with analgesics, it is important to determine what type of pain you are experiencing, acute or chronic pain. Acute or short-term pain is usually temporary and may be treated with aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, while chronic pain can last weeks, months, or years and may require a wider variety of medications and treatments. It is recommended that you speak with your physician before taking these medications to discuss your health history and possible side effects or complications.

Click here for a list of Analgesics/Pain Relievers.

Biological Response Modifiers (BRMs)

Aggressive new medications have revolutionized the treatment options available for rheumatoid arthritis, and positive outcomes are frequently been reported in patients taking Biological Response Modifiers (BRMs). BRMs work by inhibiting proteins called cytokines, which contribute to inflammation. Treatment with these medications has shown significant promise in halting disease progression and may result in a long-lasting remission.

Studies reveal that two-thirds of people with rheumatoid arthritis have shown significant and lasting improvement. These biological medicines are administered via injection at specific intervals dependent on each individual. With this type of aggressive therapy, patients must be closely monitored and primary care physicians should work in conjunction with rheumatologists to oversee treatment and care. It can take 2 to 6 months to feel the benefits of these drugs, so they are often used in combination with shorter-acting medications.

Click here for a list of Biological Response Modifiers.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are fast-acting synthetic drugs, widely used to reduce inflammation, joint pain, and swelling of arthritis. These drugs work effectively to decrease inflammation and reduce the activity of the immune system. Steroids may be prescribed in a variety of ways; orally, topically or by injection and may result in positive short and long-term pain relief.

Corticosteroids can be useful to manage or alleviate current pain while waiting for a longer-acting medication to take effect. Since arthritis affects each individual differently, you should consult with your physician to determine how much medication you need to effectively and safely treat your condition.

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COX-2 Inhibitors

COX- 2 inhibitors are a relatively new type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that were introduced to the market in 1998.  COX-2 inhibitors are used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with arthritis. 

Controversy surrounded the use of certain COX- 2 inhibitors when some scientists believed that the use of these drugs was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack.  In 2005, the manufacturers of both Vioxx and Bextra voluntarily took their drugs off the market after a thorough benefit to risk analysis. Since that time, manufacturers have been asked to revise their labeling to include more specific information about the potential risks, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications. This includes instructions about speaking to your physician before taking these drugs, and more detailed information about dosages and duration. Some researches related the complications of these drugs to dosages, leading to a closer study of how much medication was being prescribed, and for how long.

Two new COX-2 inhibitors are currently in clinical trials in the U.S., Prexige and Arcoxia. Prexige was approved for use in the United Kingdom in 2003 and both drugs are currently being analyzed for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal effects in the body. You should discuss COX-2 inhibitors with your physician to determine if they might be an effective treatment for your arthritis symptoms.

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Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can effectively slow down the progression of disease by modifying the immune process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In essence, they try to stop the immune system from attacking the joints.

They are often used when a person does not respond to first line treatments such as common analgesics or nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs, or if the arthritis appears to be part of an autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

DMARDs are slow-acting substances, therefore it may take 2 to 6 months before a positive response is noted by a patient or physician. These drugs may be prescribed in combination with faster acting medications to provide more immediate relief for people with pain and inflammation. DMARDs may be prescribed when chronic inflammation lasts more that 6 weeks or when RA has affected multiple joints at one time. It is extremely important to discuss treatment and possible side effects when using DMARDs with your physicians. Your physicians may need to work collectively to find the safest and most effective treatment for you or your loved ones.

Click here for a list of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs.

Muscle Relaxers

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Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used as painkillers and to treat several forms of arthritis. Typically they are used to treat mild to moderate pain, and associated inflammation. NSAIDs are sold both over-the-counter and by prescription, and have effectively reduced joint swelling, stiffness, and pain for many people.

NSAIDs work by blocking prostaglandins, which contribute to pain, inflammation, fever and muscle cramps. NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors and salicylates are all part of the NSAIDs family and each have a unique function in the body. COX-2 inhibitors work similarly to traditional NSAIDs with a goal of providing pain relief with less digestive distress. Salicylates, such as aspirin, can be used to reduce fever, pain, swelling, and stiffness. Consult with your physician for more information before taking NSAIDs.

Click here for a list of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are readily available and can be effective in reducing pain, inflammation and the symptoms of arthritis. OTC medications are available in multiple varieties such as pills, creams, gels and patches you apply directly to the skin. Some common OTC medications are Advil, Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen.

Click here for a list of Over the Counter Medications.

Topicals, Creams and Gels

Topical creams and gels can provide effective temporary pain relief to aching joints and muscles. Some creams contain capsaicin which is the active ingredient found in chili peppers. While you can purchase many high-quality creams without a prescription, certain topicals require a prescription from your physician. Some examples of commonly used topicals are BenGay®, Icy Hot® and Tiger Balm®.

Click here for a list of Topicals, Creams and Gels.