Arthritis Meds
More Than Pills
[Updated January 2007]

Can't swallow pills? Don't get choked up about it. Although most of the medications we've included in this Guide come in the form of pills or capsules, many arthritis treatments come in different forms. Here are some examples:

• Some NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and corticosteroids, such as prednisolone sodium phosphate (Pediapred), come in easy-to-swallow liquids.
• Several drugs can be injected or infused as well as taken orally: These include DMARDs such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone (Solumedrol).
• The biologic agents abatacept (Orencia), adalimumab (Humira), anakinra (Kineret), etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade) and rituximab (Rituxan) are available only as an injection or infusion.
• Viscosupplements (or joint fluid therapy) are given in a series of injections to people with mild to moderate knee OA. These include sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan, Supartz) and hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc).
• Certain NSAIDs and analgesics, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) come in the form of rectal suppositories.
• Many analgesics come in the form of ointments that can be applied to the skin directly over painful joints. Such products include Zostrix, Capzasin-P, Arthri- Care, Icy Hot, Aspercreme, Ben Gay and Flexall.
• One popular osteoporosis medication, calcitonin, comes in the form of a nasal spray (Miacalcin).

If you need oral medication for arthritis and still find your pills a bit hard to swallow, speak to your pharmacist about easier ways to take your medications. Some pills can be crushed and the contents placed into easy-to-swallow gelatin capsules, available from your pharmacy. Others may be crushed and mixed with food, but first check with your doctor or pharmacist - and be sure to eat every bite of the food you mix with your meds.

For more ideas, consult a compounding pharmacist specialist, who may be able to specially prepare a medication you need into a form that suits you.

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