2. Which drugs are used for osteoarthritis?
Although there are currently no drugs that have been shown to slow or halt the joint damage of osteoarthritis (OA), there are many that can help ease pain and stiffness associated with the disease and make life with OA more manageable.
In many cases, the first drug prescribed for OA pain is acetaminophen (Tylenol). The American College of Rheumatology, the professional organization of physicians specializing in treating arthritis and related conditions, recommends acetaminophen because of its low cost, effectiveness and safety. For many people, acetaminophen is the only drug needed to control OA pain.
As with RA, many people with OA benefit from NSAIDs or one of the new COX-2 drugs (see "Which drugs are used for rheumatoid arthritis?" below).
For severe OA pain, doctors may prescribe narcotic analgesics. For people with OA who can't take NSAIDs or oral analgesics or for whom oral medications don't sufficiently relieve pain, topical analgesics can be helpful.
Although they are technically not drugs, three new products – sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan, Supartz) and hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc) – called viscosupplements have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help ease the pain of knee OA. Viscosupplements, which are administered in a series of three or five weekly injections (depending on the particular product chosen) directly into the joint, are believed to work by supplementing hyaluronic acid, a substance that gives joint fluid its viscosity (thick, slippery quality). They are most effective for people with mild to moderate knee OA pain, and are not approved for use in other joints.
Finally, many people with OA may find relief from nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Although these are not approved by the FDA as medications, they have been studied and used widely in people with OA. One study of 178 people with knee OA showed that glucosamine relieved pain as effectively as ibuprofen. There is speculation – but not strong scientific evidence yet – that glucosamine may actually help rebuild damaged joint cartilage.
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