25 Treatments for Hip and Knee OA - Drug Treatments
Page 2 -- Drug Treatments
13. Acetaminophen. At a dosage of up to 4 grams per day, acetaminophen (Tylenol), can be an effective initial treatment osteoarthritis pain. Read more about acetaminophen and other oral analgesics.
14. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite cardiovascular and gastrointestinal concerns about this class of drugs, the committee concludes NSAIDs can be useful for OA pain, but advises using at the lowest effective dosages and avoiding long-term use if possible. In people at high risk of gastrointestinal side effects, the committee recommends a COX-2 inhibitor or a traditional NSAID along with proton pump inhibitor or other stomach-protective drug. Read more about NSAIDs Learn how to avoid NSAID-related stomach problems.
15. Topical analgesics (NSAIDs and Capsaicin).Topical NSAIDs and capsaicin, an analgesic derived from chili peppers, can be used along with or instead of oral analgesics or NSAIDs for OA pain.
16. Corticosteroid injections. Injecting corticosteroid compounds directly into affected joints can be useful when there is localized inflammation and/or moderate to severe pain that doesn’t respond to oral pain relievers.
17. Hyalruonic acid injections. A series of injections of hyaluronic acid, meant to supplement a natural substance that gives joint fluid its viscosity, may be useful in treating the pain of hip and knee OA, according to the experts. (In the U.S., the injections are approved only for OA of the knee.)
18. Glucosamine and/or chondroitin for symptom relief. Treatment with one or both of these supplements may provide symptomatic benefit for some people with knee OA. However, the experts advise discontinuing them if you don’t notice any relief within six months. Read more about these popular supplements for OA.
19. Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin and/or diacerein for possible structure-modifying effects. There is some evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin may not only ease symptoms but may slow or halt cartilage breakdown in OA. Similar effects have been seen with the OA medication diacerein. (Diacerein is not approved in the U.S.)
20. Opioid and narcotic analgesics. The use of weak opioids and narcotic analgesics can be considered for patients who cannot tolerate other medications or for whom other medications are not effective, according to recommendations. Stronger opioids should be used only for the management of severe pain in “exceptional circumstances.” Read more about opioid medications for arthritis pain.
For more information on drug treatments, see the Arthritis Today Drug Guide.
