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Pain, inflammation and swelling are common companions of joint diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs for the joints will help eliminate unpleasant symptoms. However, choosing the right remedy is not an easy task, because pharmacies sell dozens of drugs of domestic and foreign production.
Rating of the top 10 effective and inexpensive anti-inflammatory drugs for joints according to KP
Together with our experts, we have compiled the top 10 inexpensive anti-inflammatory drugs for joints, how they work and what precautions to take during treatment. The rating contains medicines from several pharmacological groups – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) of selective and non-selective action and glucocorticoids or corticosteroid hormones.
1. Diclofenac
Diclofenac is a non-selective NSAID with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Gel for external use helps relieve joint pain, reduce swelling and morning stiffness. Diclofenac is also available as 25–100 mg tablets, ointments, rectal suppositories, and intramuscular solution.
Diclofenac is indicated for patients with rheumatoid, juvenile and chronic arthritis1, bursitis, tendovaginitis, joint pain after surgery and injury.
Contraindications: ischemic heart disease, renal and hepatic insufficiency, allergy to diclofenac, erosive and ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pathologies of cerebral vessels and peripheral arteries.
Main characteristics
| Form | gel |
| Active substance | diclofenac |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 6 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | without recipe |
2. Arkoxia
The active substance is etoricoxib, a selective NSAID. Selectively inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 and does not affect the synthesis of prostaglandins in the gastric mucosa2. Available in tablets with a dosage of 30-120 mg. Helps to reduce pain and inflammation, and a positive effect can be observed on the second day of treatment and persist for several months after completion of therapy2.
Indications for the use of etoricoxib: rheumatoid and gouty arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis2.
Contraindications: severe liver and kidney dysfunction, allergic reaction to etoricoxib, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric and duodenal ulcers, coronary heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, pregnancy and lactation.
Main characteristics
| Form | pills |
| Active substance | etoricoxib |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 16 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | on prescription |
3. Nimesil
The active ingredient nimesulide is a selective NSAID. The drug is available in the form of 100 mg granules, which are dissolved in water and taken orally. Nimesil helps to reduce pain and inflammation in injuries and diseases of the joints: tendovaginitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis. Suitable for acute pain relief.
Contraindications: exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, severe heart and kidney disease, blood clotting disorders.
Main characteristics
| Form | granules for suspension |
| Active substance | nimesulide |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 12 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | on prescription |
4. Ibuprofen
One of the most famous non-selective NSAIDs. Available in tablets with a dosage of 200 and 400 mg, it is part of rectal suppositories, ointments and gels.
Ibuprofen suppresses inflammation, helps to reduce or completely stop pain, reduce morning stiffness and swelling of the joints. The drug is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and articular syndrome.
Contraindications: bleeding disorders, gastric and duodenal ulcers, severe kidney and liver dysfunction, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, exacerbation of ulcerative colitis.
Main characteristics
| Form | pills |
| Active substance | ibuprofen |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 6 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | without recipe |
5. Dexalgin
The active ingredient is dexketoprofen, a non-selective NSAID4. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. Begins to act 30 minutes after ingestion, analgesic effect lasts up to 4-6 hours4. Available in tablets of 25 mg and as an injection solution. Used in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints, such as arthrosis, spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis4.
Contraindications: tendency to bleeding, gastric and duodenal ulcer, severe hepatic, renal and heart failure, bronchial asthma, allergy to NSAIDs.
Main characteristics
| Form | pills |
| Active substance | dexketoprofen |
| Use in children | contraindicated |
| Released from pharmacies | on prescription |
6. Indomethacin
Indomethacin is a non-selective NSAID. Indomethacin ointment relieves pain, helps reduce swelling and improve joint mobility5. Other forms of release of indomethacin: tablets with a dosage of 25 mg and rectal suppositories. The drug is prescribed for osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendovaginitis5.
Contraindications: skin lesions at the site of application of the ointment, pregnancy and lactation, allergy to NSAIDs, age up to 6 years5.
Main characteristics
| Form | ointment |
| Active substance | indomethacin |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 6 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | without recipe |
7. Meloxicam
A selective NSAID that suppresses pain and inflammation in the joints and at the same time practically does not disturb the condition of the gastric mucosa. The drug is intended for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis. It is produced in the form of tablets with a dosage of 7,5–15 mg, in the form of rectal suppositories and a solution for intramuscular injections.
Contraindications: severe dysfunction of the liver, heart and kidneys, inflammatory bowel disease, erosive pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, pregnancy and breastfeeding, age up to 12 years.
Main characteristics
| Form | pills |
| Active substance | meloxicam |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 12 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | on prescription |
8. Prednisolone
Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid drug with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. In addition to tablets, it is also available in two dosage forms – ointment and injection solution. It is used to treat patients with polyarthritis, rheumatoid, gouty and psoriatic arthritis, bursitis, synovitis.
Contraindications: hypersensitivity to prednisolone, systemic mycosis, lactose intolerance, lactation period, age up to 3 years.
Main characteristics
| Form | pills |
| Active substance | prednisone |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 3 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | on prescription |
9. Diprospan
Glucocorticosteroid drug, the active substance is betamethasone. It has anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and antiallergic effects. Designed for intramuscular, intraarticular, intradermal administration. In diseases of the joints, it is usually injected into the articular bag
Diprospan is used to treat bursitis, tendovaginitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis6. The drug helps to reduce pain and increase joint mobility in acute and chronic inflammatory processes.6. The duration of the therapeutic effect can be more than 4 weeks6.
Contraindications: systemic mycoses, hypersensitivity to betamethasone, infectious arthritis.
Main characteristics
| Form | suspension for injection |
| Active substance | betamethasone |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 3 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | on prescription |
10. Naysilat
The active substance of Naysilat is amtolmedin guacil. Naysilat belongs to non-selective NSAIDs, but unlike other drugs from this group, it has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa and is suitable for long-term use (from 6 months)3. Available in tablets with a dosage of 600 mg. Helps reduce pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendovaginitis, gout flare-ups3.
Contraindications: arterial hypertension, renal, heart and liver failure, inflammatory bowel pathologies, erosions and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, age up to 18 years, pregnancy and lactation.
Main characteristics
| Form | pills |
| Active substance | amtolmedin guacil |
| Use in children | contraindicated in children under 18 years of age |
| Released from pharmacies | on prescription |
How to choose anti-inflammatory drugs for joints
A banal but correct answer to this question is to consult a general practitioner or a narrow specialist: an orthopedist or a rheumatologist. Joint diseases are very diverse – it can be trauma, reactive arthritis against the background of an infectious disease, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty and psoriatic arthritis.
Do not forget about the articular syndrome after suffering a coronavirus infection. Therefore, when choosing an effective anti-inflammatory drug for the joints, the cause that provoked the pathological process must be taken into account.
In addition, when prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs for joints, the doctor pays attention to such factors as:
| Efficiency | how well the drug relieves pain and inflammation compared to analogues |
| Security | what are the side effects of the drug and what are its contraindications |
| Duration of admission | some drugs can be taken no more than 7-10 days in a row |
| Price | There is a wide range of drug prices on the market. |
There is also individual sensitivity to the drug. Many chronically ill patients have a “favorite” drug that works best for them. Therefore, the best anti-inflammatory drug for joints is often selected empirically until the most effective one is found.
Popular questions and answers
Our experts answer popular questions: rheumatologist Aliya Sarmanova, k. m. n. Dmitry Garkavi and supervisor Nadezhda Ershov. Experts explained how NSAIDs work, how to use them correctly and how to minimize the harmful effects of drugs on the gastrointestinal tract.
How do anti-inflammatory drugs work?
Non-selective anti-inflammatory drugs block both types of enzymes, preventing the synthesis of prostaglandins, and thus stop inflammation.7. However, this has a side effect. Cyclooxygenase type 1 is simultaneously involved in the production of mucus for the stomach8 and blocking it, NSAIDs provoke irritation of the gastric mucosa up to ulcers and bleeding.
Selective anti-inflammatory drugs block only type 2 enzymes, so the stomach does not suffer when they are taken.7.
Glucocorticoids have a different mechanism of action. They activate the synthesis of anti-inflammatory proteins and at the same time suppress the production of substances that are involved in the development of the inflammatory process.
How to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for joints?
• you have to take NSAIDs for more than 3-5 days in a row;
• you have chronic diseases of the kidneys and liver, hypertension, heart failure, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, tendency to bleed.
Before consulting with a specialist, it is recommended to carefully study the instructions for the drug, especially the section “Contraindications” and “Side Effects”. If you started taking NSAIDs, then follow a few rules:
• do not take medicine on an empty stomach;
• Do not exceed the dosage and duration recommended by the manufacturer.
In acute pain syndrome, it is better to start with selective NSAIDs, which have less effect on the gastrointestinal tract. However, at the first opportunity, you should consult a doctor, even if relief has come. The fact is that NSAIDs are able to “extinguish” the pain syndrome and create a false sense of recovery. But at the same time, the inflammatory process in the joints will continue its destructive work.
What anti-inflammatory drugs are less harmful to the stomach?
Sources of:
- Efficacy and safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid therapy for knee and hip osteoarthritis. Study. October 12.10.2021, 375. https://www.bmj.com/content/2321/bmj.nXNUMX
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Arcoxia 30 mg. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/arcoxia__31721
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Nizilat. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/niselat__33121
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Dexalgin. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/dexalgin_25__40285
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Indomethacin. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/indometacin__41049
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Diprospan. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/diprospan__264
- Рациональное применение нестероидных противовоспалительных препаратов (НПВП) в клинической практике. Клинические рекомендации. https://painrussia.ru/%D0%A0%D0%95%D0%9A%D0%9E%D0%9C%D0%95%D0%9D%D0%94%D0%90%D0%A6%D0%98%D0%98%20%D0%9D%D0%9F%D0%92%D0%9F-2015%20-%20%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%20%D0%B4%D0%BB%D1%8F%20%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8.pdf
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of joint diseases. Russian medical journal from 15.12.2015/XNUMX/XNUMX. Imametdinova G. R., Chichasova N. V.