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Prescription & Over the Counter Arthritis Medications
A large number of arthritis medications and arthritis products are available for the treatment of arthritis.
e.g rheumatoid arthritis medication
Arthritis pain medications are generally classified as:
Prescription - These medicines require a doctors prescription and in most cases are more powerful than medicines that can be bought over the counter. They frequently also have the potential for much more serious side effects, especially if not used correctly.
Over the Counter - As the name implies, these medicines can be bought over the counter without any doctors prescription. In most cases they will be adequate for a large number of less serious ailments.
ALL medicines, including OTC, should always be taken as directed and treated with caution!
There are many over-the-counter (OTC) arthritis medications for arthritis pain sufferers that can be purchased without physicians’ prescriptions.
Some are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – some are OTCs / some require a prescription, acetaminophen and various topical medications, covered in the very next section.
Users need to be aware of possible risks from long term use or product abuse, though, and consult their medical advisors before and during use.
The most common over the counter (OTC ) NSAIDs are:
However, the misuse of some of these can cause blockage of an enzyme in the body that aids in the protection of the stomach lining and other areas.
Misuse can lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding, and liver and kidney trouble. (The same drug abuse issues can result from prescription NSAIDs, too).
Used the right way, these arthritis medications can help with:
Acetaminophen is the name of the active ingredient found in several well-known brand-name products such as:
Although it does not help with arthritic inflammation and swelling, it can help with pain relief in mild cases. Use caution with dosages, however. Excess usage poses risk of liver damage, even death, especially for active drinkers (of alcoholic beverages).
Arthritis Medications - Generic or Branded
The active ingredients in both these types of medicines will be the same, although the generic equivalents will cost substantially less ...
For this reason, it is quite common for doctors to prescribe the generic medication
In most cases, any differences will not be worth the increase in price.
However, there are certain drugs where the brand named product is superior. The side effects of branded products are frequently less than their generic counterparts, mainly due to the other inert ingredients they are packaged with.
A good practice is to consult your doctor regarding the best choice suitable for your particular situation.
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