Medications for pain in the joints (both over the counter and prescription) will alleviate unpleasant ailments. You can take joint pills containing painkillers, or you can use topical joint medications. What is the effectiveness of both and what determines the choice of the drug?

Drugs for joint pain(both over the counter and prescription) should be adjusted depending on the intensity of pain and possible contraindications to their use (especially in the elderly , using other medications and suffering from chronic diseases)

Medications for joint pain - paracetamol

The analgesic power of paracetamol is not too great, nor is it anti-inflammatory. Unlike NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), it can be used by people suffering from gastric and duodenal ulcers. Paracetamol is found under different names in many drugs, which is a common cause of overdosing. At the same time, every year there are more and more reports of side effects after taking paracetamol.

Drugs for joint pain - acetylsalicylic acid

Also known colloquially as aspirin. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect, acetylsalicylic acid is also recommended for rheumatic pains. It is contraindicated in active gastric and duodenal ulcer disease, hypersensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs, and in people with coagulation disorders and thrombocytopenia. It should also not be used 5-7 days before the planned surgery, because it reduces clotting.

Joint pain medications - ibuprofen

It works quickly, but quite shortly. It is contraindicated in people with active or past gastric or duodenal ulcer disease, hypersensitivity to other NSAIDs. It can be used in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. It is not recommended in the third trimester.

Important

Before using the drugs mentioned in the text, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage, as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly poses a threat to your he alth. life or he alth.

Medications for joint pain - meloxicam

Demonstrates the bestbenefit-risk ratio. It is currently one of the safest over-the-counter NSAIDs for the gastrointestinal tract. Peak serum levels are reached within 5 hours after dosing. Its main indication is the short-term symptomatic treatment of exacerbations of osteoarthritis. Contraindications are: bronchial asthma, nasal polyps, active or recurrent peptic ulcer disease, pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding. It cannot be used in children up to the age of 15.

Drugs for joint pain - naproxen

Its advantage is a long-lasting analgesic effect. However, special care should be taken when co-administering oral anticoagulants, sulphonylureas (medicines for diabetes) and sulphonamides. Contraindication to its use is also hypersensitivity to other NSAIDs, asthma, polyps in the nose, perforation or bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, active or history of gastric and / or duodenal ulcer disease, severe liver, kidney or heart failure, third trimester of pregnancy and haemorrhagic diathesis .

Worth knowing

Viper venom ointmenthelps relieve joint, muscular, myofascial pains, neuralgia, post-traumatic pains (bruises, hematomas, torn tendons), tenosynovitis and articular bags. In the case of joint pain, capsaicin obtained from peppers helps. It has a strong warming effect and at the same time inhibits the action of substance P - a neurotransmitter, thanks to which pain stimuli are transmitted to the central nervous system.

Drugs for joint pain - diclofenac

It is absorbed quickly and almost completely in the small intestine. Peak plasma concentrations are reached 20-60 minutes after administration in the form of immediate-release tablets. It is also available in the form of suppositories, as well as local gels and liquids. If used for too long, it increases the risk of arterial thrombotic events. Therefore, it cannot be used in people with congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial or cerebrovascular disease.

Drugs for joint pain - metamizol

Colloquially known as pyralgina. It is the most powerful and controversial pain reliever. It has been withdrawn from use in the US, UK and Scandinavian countries. It should not be used for more than 7 days. Particular care must be taken in patients with systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg, with heart, kidney, liver failure, peptic ulcer disease, and asthma.

Drugs for joint pain - dexketoprofen

It has recently been available without a prescription. It has twice the effect of ketoprofen (e.g. Ketonal or Refastin prescription) andfewer side effects. But it cannot be taken by nursing women and in the third trimester of pregnancy, patients with asthma, chronic indigestion, and heart failure. The drug may cause visual disturbances, drowsiness and dizziness.

Worth knowing

Topical Agents

Some of the oral medications presented here are also in the form of gels, ointments and creams, transdermal patches, sprays (e.g. ibuprofen, often with the addition of menthol, which gives a cooling effect), diclofenac, naproxen or etofenamate (Traumon).

Effectiveness:the effect of topical medications is definitely weaker. Only in the case of diclofenac and ketoprofen was non-inferiority to the oral form.

For whom:for people who cannot take oral painkillers, e.g. due to their negative effect on the gastric mucosa. But this also applies to seniors suffering from chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, asthma) and already using other medications.

What to watch out for:the risk of side effects in their case is definitely lower, but it also exists. They can cause a rash, irritation, and an allergic reaction. It is also not recommended to use them on exposed parts of the body, because in contact with the sun they may cause phototoxic or photoallergic reactions.

Category:

Spine, bones, joints