What are some of the pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis pain?
Analgesics If you are suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis pain, simple analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can provide some relief. Its important to understand, however, that while acetaminophen can alleviate pain, it doesn’t address inflammation. Be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking acetaminophen, because it can affect other medications that you may be taking. Also, ask your doctor about guidance for alcohol use, as consuming three or more alcoholic drinks a day while taking acetaminophen may cause liver damage. NSAIDs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Stronger versions of these NSAIDs and others are available by prescription. Oral NSAIDs can cause stomach upset, so some prescription NSAIDs come in a patch that you affix to your skin or in a gel form that you can rub on the painful joint. Other NSAID s
