Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOTC TherapiesPrescriptionsAnalgesics (Pain Medications)SurgeriesHome RemediesComplementary TherapyFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Arthritis GuideWhat Is Arthritis?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
OTC Therapies
Prescriptions
Analgesics (Pain Medications)
Surgeries
Home Remedies
Complementary Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Arthritis Guide
Arthritis cannot be cured, but an effectivearthritistreatment plan can help you manage the disease. The goals of arthritis treatment are to control pain and othersymptoms, minimizejoint damage and deformities, slow the progression of the disease, and preserve physical functioning.
There are several types of arthritis, and there are specific treatments for each type. Arthritis treatment options include medication, lifestyle changes, joint injections, surgeries, and more. You will likely need a combination of treatments, and your regimen may need to change over time.
It is important to discuss treatment with a healthcare provider to ensure you are getting the care appropriate for your type of arthritis.
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Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
Pain relief is one of the primary goals of arthritis treatment, and most healthcare providers recommend starting with OTC options for pain.
Commonly recommended treatments include:
In addition to monitoring how often you reach for an OTC drug for arthritis pain relief, check any other medications you are taking to ensure they don’t also contain the same active ingredient (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen) so you won’t go over the maximum daily dosage.Adult dosing:Acetaminophen: 3,000 mgAspirin: 4,000 mgIbuprofen: 1,200 mgNaproxen sodium: 1,500 mg
In addition to monitoring how often you reach for an OTC drug for arthritis pain relief, check any other medications you are taking to ensure they don’t also contain the same active ingredient (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen) so you won’t go over the maximum daily dosage.
Adult dosing:
Different types of arthritis are treated with different medications. The severity of your symptoms may also influence whether prescription medication is needed. Talk to a healthcare provider about what medications are appropriate for your type of arthritis and its severity.
Drug classes used to treat arthritis include the following.
NSAIDs/COX-2 Inhibitors
Prescription-strength NSAIDs are among the most commonly prescribed and widely used arthritis drugs. They work to relieve inflammation and pain. The three types include salicylates, NSAIDs, and COX-2 selective inhibitors.
Common prescription NSAIDs used to treat arthritis symptoms:
NSAIDs for Arthritis
Side Effects
NSAIDs can have side effects such as indigestion, nausea, and ulcers. With the exception of aspirin, NSAIDs and COX-2 selective inhibitors can also significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.Many of the COX-2 selective inhibitors were removed from the marketplace due to this concern. And all NSAIDs can result in kidney damage.
Analgesics are pain-relieving drugs that do not relieve inflammation. Acetaminophen is the most commonly used analgesic, and it may be found in some prescription medications.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, 20% to 30% of people with rheumatoid arthritis also develop fibromyalgia.In these situations, Cymbalta or another fibromyalgia drug—like Lyrica (pregabalin) and Savella (milnacipran HCl)—may be prescribed along with arthritis medication.
Narcotic analgesic drugs may also be prescribed for severe pain. They can cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, abnormally shallow breathing, and euphoria. Older adults are more prone to these effects. There is also a risk of drug tolerance, dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.
Narcotics include Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen/codeine), OxyContin (oxycodone), Percodan (oxycodone/aspirin), Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), and several others.
Analgesics for Arthritis Pain Relief
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids reduce swelling and inflammation quickly. Joint pain is sometimes the result of inflammation. Potent antiinflammatory agents may be needed as a chronic therapy.
Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for inflammatory types of arthritis such aslupus, rheumatoid arthritis,polymyalgia rheumatica, andvasculitis. They have the potential for serious side effects when taken at high doses or over a long period.Healthcare providers may prescribe short-term, high-dose intravenous steroids in some situations.
Examples of corticosteroids used for treating inflammatory arthritis include Deltasone (prednisone) and methylprednisolone (Medrol).
Local steroid injections can be used for managing inflammation in a specific, painful joint.
Corticosteroids for Inflammation
Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
DMARDs are slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs that help stop disease progression and joint damage in certain forms of arthritis. They often take weeks or months to work. DMARDs are used for treating rheumatoid arthritis,psoriatic arthritis, andankylosing spondylitis.
Common DMARDs include methotrexate and Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine). Sometimes biologics are prescribed if there is an inadequate response to traditional DMARDs.
DMARDs for Inflammatory Types of Arthritis
Biologic Response Modifiers (Biologics)
TNF blockersare one class of biologics that interfere with inflammatory activity. They include Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), and Simponi (golimumab).
Another type isOrencia (abatacept), aT-cell co-stimulation modulator. Rituxan (rituximab) is used in combination with methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis, targeting one type of immune cell. Actemra (tocilizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor. Two major concerns with these drugs include the risk of serious infection or lymphoma.
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
Viscosupplementationis a procedure that involves the injection of gel-like substances (hyaluronates) into a joint (currently approved for the knee) to supplement the viscous properties of synovial fluid.
Joint surgerycan be considered when severe joint damage and pain interfere with daily activities.
Surgical options include:
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Regular exercisecan reduce pain and improve physical function, muscle strength, and quality of life for people with arthritis, and it is strongly recommended for people who have arthritis.While it can be difficult to be motivated to exercise when you are having symptoms such as pain or fatigue, choosing the right exercise that you also enjoy can make a big difference in your quality of life.
Reducing stressmay also help calm the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Being under stress can heighten your pain perception. A study also found that psychological stress was associated with flares and relapse in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Home remedies to manage pain and stiffness can help you keep it from interfering with daily living. You can try tactics such ascryotherapy(cold packs),heat therapyor warm water therapy (especially for stiffness), orself-massage.Beware of folk remedies.
Assistive devicescan help protect your joints and make it easier for you to go about your day. Look into canes, walkers, raised toilet seats, grabbers, and other helpful devices.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
If you prefer a natural approach to treating arthritis or would like to explore complementary options, it’s imperative that you tell your healthcare provider what you want to try (or are already using). There are many alternative treatment options that, while popular, are not verified for effectiveness and safety.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reports on the effectiveness of some CAM treatments for arthritis:
Be wary of dietary supplements or herbal treatments sold for arthritis relief. You could experience dangerous side effects or drug interactions and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that many are tainted with prescription drugs.
Can Diet Help Treat Arthritis?
Benefits of Cinnamon and Honey for Arthritis
A Word From Verywell
The Arthritis Foundation recommends seeing a healthcare provider if you have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling persisting for two or more weeks, whether or not your symptoms began suddenly or gradually.Only a healthcare provider can diagnose arthritis. An accurate diagnosis is needed so that appropriate treatment can begin. A rheumatologist (arthritis specialist) will help you understand all of your options—their benefits and their risks.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe treatment varies based on the severity of your symptoms and the type of arthritis you have. Options include rest, exercise, weight loss, cold/hot therapy, over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, oral and injected steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and surgery.Most forms of arthritis are chronic and can be managed but not cured. Some forms ofseptic arthritiswill resolve once the infection is treated and cleared.Around half of all cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis resolve before adulthood.Options for helping manage pain include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). Topical NSAIDs and medicated ointments containing camphor, capsaicin, or menthol may provide temporary relief of mild arthritis pain.For moderate to severe osteoarthritis, options include COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex (celecoxib) and oral opioids like Ultram (tramadol).For rheumatoid arthritis, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate, oral corticosteroids like prednisone, or biologics like Rituxan (rituximab) may be prescribed.Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of autoimmune arthritis. DMARDs are started early in the disease and can achieve disease remission in roughly 50% of cases.Conventional DMARDs include:MethotrexateAzulfidine (sulfasalazine)Arava (leflunomide)Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)Biologics, also known as biological DMARDS, are typically started when methotrexate or other conventional DMARDs don’t provide relief after three months.Options include:Cimzia (certolizumab)Cosentyx (secukinumab)Enbrel (etanercept)Humira (adalimumab)Orencia (abatacept)Remicade (infliximab)Rituxan (rituximab)Stelara (ustekinumab)Taltz (ixekizumab)If pain or loss of joint mobility is diminishing your ability to function, surgery may be considered. Options include arthroscopy, synovectomy (removal of the lining of the joint), osteotomy (the cutting and reshaping of the joint bone), and total joint replacement.According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, acupuncture and massage therapy may relieve the pain of osteoarthritis.Omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and the herb thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) are potentially useful in relieving rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
The treatment varies based on the severity of your symptoms and the type of arthritis you have. Options include rest, exercise, weight loss, cold/hot therapy, over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, oral and injected steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and surgery.
Most forms of arthritis are chronic and can be managed but not cured. Some forms ofseptic arthritiswill resolve once the infection is treated and cleared.Around half of all cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis resolve before adulthood.
Options for helping manage pain include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). Topical NSAIDs and medicated ointments containing camphor, capsaicin, or menthol may provide temporary relief of mild arthritis pain.
For moderate to severe osteoarthritis, options include COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex (celecoxib) and oral opioids like Ultram (tramadol).For rheumatoid arthritis, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate, oral corticosteroids like prednisone, or biologics like Rituxan (rituximab) may be prescribed.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of autoimmune arthritis. DMARDs are started early in the disease and can achieve disease remission in roughly 50% of cases.Conventional DMARDs include:MethotrexateAzulfidine (sulfasalazine)Arava (leflunomide)Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of autoimmune arthritis. DMARDs are started early in the disease and can achieve disease remission in roughly 50% of cases.
Conventional DMARDs include:
Biologics, also known as biological DMARDS, are typically started when methotrexate or other conventional DMARDs don’t provide relief after three months.Options include:Cimzia (certolizumab)Cosentyx (secukinumab)Enbrel (etanercept)Humira (adalimumab)Orencia (abatacept)Remicade (infliximab)Rituxan (rituximab)Stelara (ustekinumab)Taltz (ixekizumab)
Biologics, also known as biological DMARDS, are typically started when methotrexate or other conventional DMARDs don’t provide relief after three months.
Options include:
If pain or loss of joint mobility is diminishing your ability to function, surgery may be considered. Options include arthroscopy, synovectomy (removal of the lining of the joint), osteotomy (the cutting and reshaping of the joint bone), and total joint replacement.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, acupuncture and massage therapy may relieve the pain of osteoarthritis.Omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and the herb thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) are potentially useful in relieving rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
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