In most forms of arthritis, the first treatments are aimed at relieving the symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
Patients usually take arthritis pain medication over several years, especially in chronic inflammatory cases.
There are several types of arthritis pain medication, from simple oral tablets to joint injections.
The right pain relief drug should depend on the severity of the pain and the patient's overall health.
Arthritis pain medication may include one or more of the following: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) NSAIDs are the used to alleviate pain and inflammation, especially in moderate to severe attacks.
Some NSAIDs are also antipyretic, which makes them useful in cases accompanied by fever.
Most NSAIDs are available over the counter, and patients are often allowed to try different brands to find the one that works best.
However, they are known to cause gastrointestinal problems such as peptic ulcers and diarrhea.
Scientists have developed newer NSAIDs that are gentler on the stomach, such as COX-2 inhibitors.
However, they are believed to increase the risk of heart disease.
Corticosteroids Corticosteroids, or simply steroids, are more potent than NSAIDs.
They are usually reserved for severe cases when the heart or other vital organs are affected.
Glucocorticoids are the most commonly used for arthritis pain medication.
They can be taken orally or administered via joint injections.
Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) DMDs were developed for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
They work by blocking the substances in the body believed to trigger autoimmune attacks.
A smaller subclass, called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), is used specifically for rheumatoid arthritis pain medication.
DMDs and DMARDs can effectively slow the progress of disease, but often have serious side effects.
These include liver damage, low blood count, and an increased risk of bacterial infection.
Doctors usually start with the mildest DMARD, methotrexate, and use others only when there are no improvements.
Biologic response modifiers (BRMs) These are a class of drugs based on naturally occurring enzymes.
Patients who do not respond to other arthritis pain medications are usually given BRMs.
The most common BRM is the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha blocker, which inhibits the protein that triggers pain and inflammation response.
BRM brand names include Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade.
BRM therapy can cause side effects such as fever, chills, weakness, and muscle aches.
Depending on the type of BRM used, patients may have to stay in hospital during treatment in case of serious reactions.