Takin' Meds?
Watch for These Side Effects

"You have to take the good with the bad."

Whoever said this familiar phrase originally could very well have been talking about arthritis medications. Granted, medications can make physical movement - and your overall life - easier and less painful if you have arthritis. But they can also do some things you'd rather they didn't, like upset your stomach, make your mouth dry, increase your risk of infections or cause you to feel drowsy.

When it comes to medications, the potential side effects are varied and virtually limitless. In some cases, side effects disappear on their own as your body adjusts to the drug. In others, you can alleviate side effects of a drug by taking it with food, supplementing nutrients the drug can affect, or using other medications to ease the first drug's effects (such as a dose of acetaminophen to ease injection pain, an artificial saliva product to ease dry mouth, or an antacid to ease stomach upset). In still other cases, you may have to learn to live with the drug's side effects - if the benefits of taking the drug outweigh the inconvenience or discomfort of the side effect.

But sometimes the bad may exceed the good and, in rare cases, side effects can signal something life-threatening. Here are some side effects of the most commonly used medications that require immediate attention:

With NSAIDs

Symptoms such as rapid or irregular pulse, hives on the face or mouth, wheezing or tightness in the chest may indicate an allergy to the drug. Stop taking the NSAID and call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Symptoms such as dark, tarry stools, or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds could mean a bleeding ulcer. Unusual bleeding or bruising could mean the drugs are interfering with clotting. If you have one of these problems, call your doctor right away.

With DMARDs

DMARDs control arthritis by suppressing the immune system. Because this can also make it more difficult to fight infection, it's important that you call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of infection, including a fever, cough, hoarseness or sore throat.

With Corticosteroids

Though corticosteroids are potent fighters of inflammation, they also have many potentially dangerous adverse effects, including the development of diabetes, osteoporosis, cataracts and neurological problems. If you start to notice symptoms of diabetes, including increased thirst, frequent urination and/or blurred vision, or symptoms of neurological problems, such as hallucinations or rapid and wide mood swings, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Although these are some of the most commonly used drugs for arthritis, they are just a fraction of the drugs used for all forms of arthritis and related conditions. Any drug for any condition carries the risk of side effects. Before beginning any medication, read the drug's package insert. Ask your doctor if there are side effects you should watch for and what to do if you experience them.

Finally, pay attention to your body. If you're taking a medication - even one you've taken for a while - and you notice a problem, call your doctor. To borrow another familiar saying, "Better safe than sorry."

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