best pills for joint pain

If in the morning the joints are “stiff” and the first steps are reflected in pain, or by the evening the knees and elbows are swollen and painfully aching, this is a problem. Although pain that is localized around the joints can sometimes be due to structures nearby, such as ligaments, tendons or muscles (bursitis and tendinitis can be examples of pathologies), arthritis is the most common cause of pain.

If swelling and redness occur against the background of pain, the joints do not bend well, and the general condition is disturbed, the question arises – which pills for joint pain can help? Is it worth it to alleviate the pain with drugs?

True joint pain (arthralgia) may be accompanied by joint inflammation (arthritis). Sometimes joint pain occurs due to other pathologies – injuries, degenerative processes, infections.

In any case, the patient will have a certain degree of damage to the cartilage and surrounding tissues of the joint, therefore, in order to alleviate the condition, it is necessary to give the joints a rest, eliminate the causes of inflammation and reduce discomfort. Joint pain pills that have different principles of action can help with this.

The most common symptom of joint inflammation is pain. Inflamed joints may also be warm and swollen, and less commonly, the skin over the affected joint may be red.

Arthritis may involve only the joints of the extremities or also the joints of the central part of the skeleton, such as the spine or pelvis. Pain can only occur when the joint moves or may be present at rest, during sleep.

Other symptoms – skin rash, fever, eye pain, mouth ulcers, general malaise, nausea, headache – determine what other drugs are needed to combat pain.

To effectively eliminate discomfort, you need to see a doctor and treatment under his strict supervision. Joint pain itself is only a symptom, and its cause must be determined.

Subsequently, effective treatment and the selection of the best pills for joint pain are based precisely on the causative factor. It can be:

In addition, the doctor selects symptomatic drugs that help suppress pain and improve mobility, making the patient’s life more comfortable.

Rating of the top 5 pills for joint pain according to KP

It is difficult to choose and unequivocally select the best pills for joint pain. This is due to the fact that there are many causes of arthritis, and for each clinical situation, their own combinations of drugs are selected.

In any case, it is necessary to take any medication strictly after consulting a doctor and determining the exact diagnosis, identifying the severity of joint damage and the true cause of the inflammatory or degenerative process. There are a number of medicines that are most often used in atropathies and arthritis.

1. Diclofenac

This drug with anti-inflammatory activity is available in a large number of dosage forms – gels and ointments, creams and patches, rectal suppositories. These forms of medication are sold from pharmacies without a prescription. The drug for oral administration in the form of tablets, capsules and injection is bought by prescription from a doctor. The main active ingredient is diclofenac sodium, a drug from the NSAID group, which has pronounced analgesic, antipyretic and analgesic effects. It is used in the combined therapy of joint pain in various types of pathologies.

Drug shown:

• with acute pain in the joints against the background of an injury (local forms of drugs are preferable);
• joint pain against the background of different types of arthritis (rheumatoid, gouty, spondylitis);
• with degenerative lesions of the joints – osteoarthritis;
• in the complex therapy of exacerbations of autoimmune processes involving the joints.

Although the drug is popular and widely used for various types of pain and inflammation, it is necessary to take into account the range of contraindications before using it. These include digestive pathologies with ulceration, hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, aspirin asthma, hematopoietic disorders, childhood, pregnancy and lactation.

The course of treatment is determined by the doctor based on the indications and severity of the condition.

2. Amelotex

The drug is available in several forms – a gel for topical use (sold without a prescription) and forms for oral administration – rectal suppositories, tablets and a solution for intramuscular injection (by prescription). This is a drug from the NSAID group, with the main active ingredient – meloxicam. It has an active analgesic effect, suppresses the inflammatory process and fever, eliminates swelling in the affected areas.

The main indications for use:

• inflammatory lesions in the joints;
• degenerative processes – arthrosis, osteoarthrosis;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• development of ankylosing spondylitis.

As with other NSAIDs, it is important to take into account the existing contraindications for prescribing the drug. These include erosion and ulcerative lesions in various parts of the digestive tube, severe damage to the kidneys, liver, age up to 15 years and the period of pregnancy, sensitivity to the salicylates group.

The course of treatment is determined by the doctor, it is possible to start treatment with injections with the transition to the use of tablets strictly under the supervision of a specialist.

3. Arthrophone

The drug is produced in the form of tablets that dissolve in the mouth. The drug is sold without a prescription, it belongs to the category of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs. The main active ingredient is a complex of antibodies to human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) affinity purified. The drug has a cumulative effect, begins to work as the activity of the immune system increases.

Among the main indications:

• treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, spondyllarthrosis;
• other types of joint damage.

During the acute phase of the disease, the drug is combined with anti-inflammatory drugs; during remission, the drug can be used as monotherapy. There are few contraindications for taking – this is the age of up to 18 years, during pregnancy and lactation, individual intolerance to the components.

4. Slow Artro

The drug is produced in two forms – a solution for injection and a powder for oral administration. Belongs to the group of chondroprotectors, sold in pharmacies by prescription. The main component – glucosamine, has an anti-inflammatory effect, renews the tissues of worn cartilage, stimulates the regeneration of affected tissues, inhibits the processes of cartilage destruction, thereby reducing pain.

Indications:

• osteoarthritis of large joints;
• damage to the joints in the spine;
• manifestations of osteochondrosis.

Among the contraindications, it is worth noting an increase in sensitivity to the components of the drug, kidney damage, pregnancy and lactation, age up to 12 years and phenylketonuria. Carefully use the medicine for asthma and diabetes, allergies to seafood.

5. Teraflex

The drug is sold in the form of capsules, including advance forms and topical creams. Available without a prescription, it has a chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect. The main active ingredients are glucosamine with the addition of chondroitin sulfate. Ibuprofen was additionally introduced in the advance form. The drugs compensate for the loss of cartilage tissue with age, help in the regeneration of joint tissues, and have anti-inflammatory, regenerating effects.

Main indications:

• degenerative processes in the joints and spine;
• development of osteoarthritis;
• complex therapy for other forms of arthritis (as decided by the doctor).

Although the drug is well tolerated, there are a number of contraindications to its use. Among them – individual intolerance, severe kidney damage and age up to 15 years, pregnancy, breastfeeding. Caution is used in people with asthma, diabetes and increased bleeding.

How to choose pills for joint pain

Pain in the joints is only a symptom, the result of various problems in the cartilage and surrounding tissues. Therefore, it is important to undergo a complete examination and accurately determine the causes of problems, and aim treatment not only to eliminate pain, but also to treat the underlying disease.

People with an autoimmune disease (such as systemic lupus erythematosus) may need a drug that suppresses the immune system. People with a gonorrheal infection in the joint need antibiotics.

Unpleasant symptoms and pain can be eliminated before the diagnosis is known. Inflammation can usually be relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pain without inflammation is usually treated with acetaminophen, which is a safer option. Immobilizing the joint with a splint or orthosis can sometimes relieve pain. Applying heat (for example, with a heating pad) can relieve pain by relieving muscle spasm around joints (for example, after an injury). Applying cold (such as an ice pack) can relieve pain caused by joint inflammation. Heating or cooling should be applied for at least 15 minutes at a time to ensure deep penetration. The skin must be protected from heat and cold. For example, ice should be placed in a plastic bag and wrapped in a towel.

Once acute pain and inflammation have subsided, physical therapy may be helpful to restore or maintain range of motion and strengthen surrounding muscles. In people with chronic arthritis, regular physical activity is important to prevent permanent joint stiffness (contracture) and loss of muscle volume (atrophy).

Important! Any drugs for the treatment of joint damage should be prescribed only by a doctor. He will select those pills for joint pain that are most effective in each case, taking into account all possible contraindications.

Popular questions and answers

Answered our questions regarding the treatment of joint pain, their occurrence and management tactics pharmacist, teacher of pharmacology, editor-in-chief of MedCorr Zorina Olga.