The most common cause of joint pain is different types of arthritis.
Prescription medications are used when OTC options are not alleviating the symptoms.
Comparison of Pain Relievers
1.
Getty Images / Grace Cary
It works in the central nervous system to reduce pain and fever.
Acetaminophen is also available as a combination ingredient with many other drugs.
OTC NSAIDs
NSAIDs are the most commonly used medications for relieving pain from injuries, arthritis, and inflammation.
They can also help reduce fever.
They work to reduce the production ofprostaglandins, chemicals that cause pain and inflammation in the body.
NSAIDs such as aspirin also prevent blood from clotting and help manage heart problems.
Most commonly used OTC, nonprescription NSAIDs are aspirin,ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Side effects of NSAIDs include:
Pregnant and breastfeeding people should ask their healthcare provider before taking NSAIDs.
NSAIDs may cause problems in the fetus or complications during delivery.
Prescription NSAIDs are more potent than OTC NSAIDs.
NSAIDs block what are known asCOX (cyclooxygenase) enzymesto inhibit the production of prostaglandins in the body.
Prostaglandins are hormone-like chemicals that contribute to inflammation, pain, and fever.
Commonly prescribed NSAIDs include:
Although NSAIDs are widely used pain-management drugs, they may cause some side effects.
These will generally be similar to OTC NSAIDs.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroidsare synthetic compounds designed to be similar to the natural steroid hormones produced by theadrenal gland.
They are also used to treat many other inflammatory conditions.
Some commonly used drugs in this class include:
Side effects can occur with high doses.
These may include:
While effective, long-term use of corticosteroids may lead to severe side effects.
Some potential side effects of long-term corticosteroid use are:
5.
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
DMARDs are medicines used to treat joint pain caused byrheumatoid arthritis(RA).
They are prescribed with other anti-inflammatory drugs.
DMARDs are immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents that work on the immune system to treat inflammation and pain.
They reduce or prevent joint damage and bone weakening and improve joint function.
The different types of DMARDs are conventional, biological, and targeted synthetic.
They are slow-acting and may take several weeks to months to show effects.
Opioids
Opioidsare the most potent painkillers.
They are natural or synthetic derivatives of natural substances found in the opium poppy plant.
Antidepressant medicines work to change central painproducing mechanisms responsible for pain sensitivity and neuropathic pain.
Different classes of antidepressant drugs are used for orthopedic pain relief.
These includeselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors(SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Your healthcare provider will reduce the dose over some time before stopping it.
In addition to medications, some alternative therapies and lifestyle changes can also help improve symptoms.
Summary
Joint pain is due to inflammation of the joints, injuries, or autoimmune disorders.
It may be linked to arthritis and muscle pain.
Consult your healthcare provider to combine medications and other natural remedies to treat the symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis basics.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.What are NSAIDs?
US Food and Drug Administration.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
2020;180:114147. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114147
MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.
Crofford LJ.Use of NSAIDs in treating patients with arthritis.Arthritis Res Ther.2013;15(Suppl 3):S2.
Cain DW, Cidlowski JA.Immune regulation by glucocorticoids.Nat Rev Immunol.
2017;39(11):2216-2229. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.09.011.
MedlinePlus.Opioid and opioids use disorder (OUD).
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Prescription opioids drug facts.
Leaney AA, Lyttle JR, Segan J, et al.Antidepressants for hip and knee osteoarthritis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
2022;2022(10):CD012157.
2022;9:991677. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.991677
