individual health considerations. It is crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Some medications may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions or those taking other medications. In such cases, healthcare providers can explore alternative options or adjust dosages to minimize potential side effects.
Managing Medication Side Effects
While arthritis medications can provide significant pain relief, they may also come with side effects. It’s essential to discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider and monitor your response to the medication carefully. Common side effects may include gastrointestinal issues, increased risk of infections, and liver or kidney problems.
In some instances, complementary therapies such as physical therapy, exercise, and lifestyle modifications may be recommended alongside medication to enhance pain management and improve overall joint health.
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How long will you need arthritis meds?
You may need to use these medications regularly if you feel osteoarthritis pain most of the time. If it’s not continuous, just stop when you feel better.
Inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis will likely require life-long treatment. Inflammatory arthritis typically requires using not just NSAIDs but disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, such as methotrexate.
Prescription medications
A number of different prescription medications also treat stronger osteoarthritis pain. These include tramadol and other opioids. These may also be prescribed for short-term inflammatory arthritis.
A doctor may prescribe tramadol for arthritis of the knee and hip when a patient can’t take acetaminophen or NSAIDs. It may also be used along with other medications.
Opioids are considered second-line medications reserved for moderate to severe knee and hip osteoarthritis pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Their adverse effects — including the risk of addiction — limit their use, but they may be a safer option than NSAIDs in elderly patients, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Duloxetine — an antidepressant and nerve pain medication — is a second-line agent that may be used to treat arthritis of the knee. It can also be used as an add-on medication.
Most of these medications come in pill form. One opioid medication, fentanyl (Duragesic), is administered by a patch on the skin. But this is not routinely used to manage arthritis pain, the foundation noted in a news release.