ask your pharmacist

back to: pharmacy | ask your pharmacist

Are there any prescription treatments for osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis affects the crucially important cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of bones within the joints. It causes this cartilage to break down, so that bone comes to rub against bone inside the joint. Then come the symptoms that people with osteoarthritis are all too familiar with: pain, stiffness and joint immobility. The disease most commonly affects joints of the fingers, neck, back, knees, and hips..

Although osteoarthritis can’t be cured, prescription drugs can treat the symptoms of pain and stiffness when over-the-counter medicines aren't effective. Drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually the first treatment choice. NSAIDs include prescription-strength versions of ibuprofen (brand name: Motrin), naproxen (>Naprosyn) and ketoprofen (Orudis) as well as drugs such as diclofenac (Voltaren) and oxaprozin (>Daypro). A new class of NSAIDs, known as COX-2 (cyclooxygenase type 2) inhibitors, may cause fewer stomach side effects than other NSAIDs. They include celecoxib (>Celebrex). There is a warning in place regarding cardiovascular risks with Celebrex, so doctors should prescribe the lowest possible dose.

In cases where osteoarthritis causes severe pain, strong pain medicines including morphine or oxycodone can be prescribed for relief.

Sources:
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw-Hill Companies,1998.
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton & Lange, 1999.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2007.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.

This answer prepared 01/8/2001.
This information updated 1/9/2007.