10 best pills for arthrosis
The treatment of arthrosis is a long and difficult struggle. Any remedy, whether it be pills or physiotherapy, is prescribed by a doctor after examinations. Together with a rheumatologist, we have compiled a rating of effective pills for the treatment of arthrosis

A typical “portrait” of a patient with arthrosis is an elderly plump woman. But this does not mean that thin people, men or youth are insured against arthrosis. Arthrosis occurs even in adolescents. It’s just that in older women who are prone to fullness, this disease is much more common.

In any case, arthrosis requires solving several problems at once: relieve pain, strengthen the muscles around the diseased joint, and increase its mobility. Therefore, various means are involved in the treatment. Effective pills for arthrosis, as such, do not exist. There are a number of drugs that help in solving the problems associated with this disease.1.

List of top 10 inexpensive and effective pills for arthrosis according to KP

In the treatment of arthrosis, drugs of different groups are used: analgesics, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), slow-acting disease-modifying drugs (better known as chondroprotectors). They are selected individually, taking into account the stage of the disease, the age of the patient, concomitant diseases. And they are appointed by a doctor after examination and analysis. Consider the main inexpensive pills for arthrosis, which are prescribed by specialists.

1. Paracetamol

Paracetamol is an analgesic with analgesic and antipyretic effects, with relatively few side effects. It is prescribed to relieve pain syndrome of different localization, including joint pain associated with arthrosis.

Paracetamol does not cause damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is suitable for patients with gastrointestinal problems, if they have no other contraindications to prescribing this drug (serious disorders in the functioning of the kidneys or liver, anemia, alcoholism).

Противопоказания: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, severe violations of the liver and kidneys, children under 6 years of age.

copes well with pain of low and moderate intensity, does not damage the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, few side effects.
will not help with severe pain.
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2. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic agent. The drug is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, which minimizes the risk of possible adverse reactions. For arthritis, ibuprofen can quickly reduce pain and swelling. Ibuprofen has practically no effect on the cardiovascular system, therefore it is considered one of the drugs of choice for the elderly.

Противопоказания: erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, gastric and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis.

copes well with pain and swelling, suitable for the elderly.
quite a few contraindications.
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3. Naproxen

Naproxen is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The low risk of complications from the heart and blood vessels is the main advantage of using Naproxen and its main difference from other NSAIDs. The drug is prescribed as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent for arthrosis. And, according to international recommendations, a small amount of Naproxen can be used for long-term prevention of recurrence of gouty arthritis.

Противопоказания: children’s age up to 1 year, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage, severe violations of the liver or kidneys, hematopoiesis disorders2.

does not affect the heart and blood vessels, relieves pain and inflammation well.
quite a few contraindications.

4. Meloxicam

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug from the group of selective NSAIDs (those that eliminate inflammation without harming the gastric mucosa). One of the trade names is Movalis. The drug is well tolerated, while it does not slow down, unlike some NSAIDs, the formation of articular cartilage. When taken together with aspirin, it does not reduce its antiplatelet efficacy.3.

Противопоказания: pregnancy and lactation, lactose intolerance, aspirin, pregnancy, decompensated heart failure.

does not slow down the formation of articular cartilage, practically does not cause side effects, low price.
quite a few contraindications.

5. Nimesulide

Another selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, known under the trade names Nimesil, Nise. Nimesulide has a pronounced analgesic effect, is well tolerated (if there are no individual characteristics and contraindications for use) and does not cause complications from the gastrointestinal tract. Enhances the effect of anticoagulants.

Противопоказания: not recommended for severe pathologies of the liver, kidneys or heart. Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, as well as in alcohol dependence. 

copes well with pain (even severe), does not cause complications from the gastrointestinal tract.
may cause drowsiness.

6. Celecoxib

Celecoxib belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Quickly relieves pain in arthrosis. The low risk of dangerous complications in the gastrointestinal tract when taking Celecoxib is confirmed by mass studies4.

Противопоказания: hypersensitivity to sulfonamides, active peptic ulcer or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs. With caution, the drug is prescribed for violations in the work of the liver and kidneys, diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

copes even with severe pain, low risk of complications in the gastrointestinal tract.
relatively high price in the segment, not always found in pharmacies.

7. Arkoxia

Arcoxia contains etoricoxib. Like other drugs of the selective NSAID group, the drug was created to reduce the negative effect of the drug on the gastrointestinal tract. The low likelihood of developing complications in the gastrointestinal tract is its biggest plus. Arcoxia also effectively anesthetizes and eliminates signs of the inflammatory process.

Противопоказания: active peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, allergy to aspirin and NSAIDs, pregnancy, severe liver dysfunction, heart failure, arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease.

helps even with severe and chronic pain.
rather high price, a large list of contraindications.

8. Chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is a slow-acting disease-modifying drug used for the long-term treatment of arthrosis. The drug helps to restore cartilage and bone tissue, relieves joint pain, reducing the need for NSAIDs. The effect of the course of treatment persists for a long time, but you can count on it only at the initial stage of the disease.

Противопоказания: the drug is prescribed with caution for bleeding and a tendency to them, thrombophlebitis. During pregnancy and lactation, it is contraindicated, since there is no data regarding its effect on the health of a woman and a child during this period.

relieves pain, promotes the restoration of bone and cartilage tissue.
most effective only at the initial stage of the disease.

9. Glucosamine sulfate

Glucosamine sulfate has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, therefore, it allows you to take fewer analgesics and NSAIDs to relieve pain5. The drug facilitates the normal deposition of calcium in bone tissue and stimulates the restoration of cartilage and bone tissue.

Противопоказания: phenylketonuria, severe chronic renal failure, pregnancy and lactation.

well relieves pain and inflammation, stimulates the restoration of bone and cartilage tissue.
rarely found on sale.
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10. Teraflex

The drug contains two active substances – glucosamine hydrochloride and sodium chondroitin sulfate. They stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue, improve joint mobility, reduce pain and reduce stiffness of movements. In addition, the components of the drug provide protection for damaged cartilage from metabolic destruction caused by NSAIDs and glucocorticoids.

Противопоказания: severe chronic renal failure, pregnancy and lactation.

relieves pain and stiffness of movements, the combined composition ensures the effective action of the drug.
high price.
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How to choose pills for arthrosis

It is not the patient who chooses effective pills for arthrosis, but the doctor, taking into account concomitant diseases – especially diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, and bone marrow. All this is found out during questioning and examination of the patient, on the basis of laboratory tests.

Important! Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of arthrosis are needed to relieve pain and create favorable conditions for other treatments. But you can’t take these drugs for too long, so as not to create the illusion that the disease is gone. Under the influence of NSAIDs, not arthrosis goes away, but pain. In addition, long-term use of NSAIDs may cause unwanted side effects.

Reviews of doctors about tablets for arthrosis

“The treatment of arthrosis cannot be limited to drug therapy, it must be comprehensive,” notes rheumatologist Alexander Elonakov. – It is necessary to identify the factors that led to this disease in order to contain its progression. The goal of therapy is not only to relieve the inflammatory process and pain, but also to maintain muscle strength and motor activity. As soon as the diagnosis of arthrosis is made, we understand that this is not going anywhere. Improvement may come on its own or be achieved in a variety of ways. But this is a chronic process that we cannot yet influence globally. Effective treatments are only being developed.

Popular questions and answers

Rheumatologist Alexander Elonakov answers popular questions regarding the treatment of arthrosis.

What tests should be done if the joints hurt?

– CBC, urinalysis, biochemical analysis of several parameters: creatinine, glucose, bilirubin, ALT, AST, gamma-GTP, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, proteinogram, C-reactive protein. This is the minimum laboratory tests that will help assess the condition. Further, according to the indications, other tests are prescribed.

Which doctor treats arthritis?

– A rheumatologist and an orthopedic traumatologist can prescribe conservative treatment. If surgery is required, the surgeon is involved.

 What foods should be removed from the diet for joint pain?

– The most important recommendation is to exclude carbohydrate and fatty foods, which contribute to weight gain and, consequently, stress on the joints. This, first of all, concerns overweight people. Nutrition, in principle, should be balanced, healthy.
  1. Rheumatology: clinical guidelines. https://rheumatolog.ru/experts/klinicheskie-rekomendacii/
  2. Karateev A.E. Naproxen: versatile analgesic and with minimal risk of cardiovascular complications. FGBNU Research Institute of Rheumatology. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/naproksen-universalnyy-analgetik-s-minimalnym-riskom-kardiovaskulyarnyh-oslozhneniy/viewer
  3. Karateev A.E. Meloxicam: the “golden mean” of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Therapeutic archive. 2014;86(5):99-105. https://www.mediasphera.ru/issues/terapevticheskij-arkhiv/2014/5/030040-36602014515
  4. Karateev A.E. The use of celecoxib in rheumatology, cardiology, neurology and oncology. https://paininfo.ru/articles/rmj/2361.html
  5. Chichasova N.V., professor of the department of rheumatology with a course of pediatric rheumatology, FPPOV MMA named after. THEM. Sechenov. Modern pharmacotherapy of deforming osteoarthritis. https://www.rlsnet.ru/library/articles/revmatologiya/sovremennaya-farmakoterapiya-deformiruyushhego-osteoartroza-90

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