The best drugs for osteoarthritis

Contents

List of 10 inexpensive and effective drugs for osteoarthritis according to KP
How to choose drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis
Popular questions and answers
- Sources of

Osteoarthritis, arthrosis or deforming arthrosis are the names of a joint disease caused by damage to the cartilaginous tissues of the articular surface. The main symptom of the disease is joint pain and swelling.

The causes of osteoarthritis are varied. It can progress due to genetic features, such as defects in type II collagen. The risk of developing the disease increases if the patient has congenital or acquired joint diseases, serious injuries, after surgical interventions.

Most often, the disease progresses in patients over the age of 45 years. In women, it is detected twice as often, and doctors attribute this feature to changes in the hormonal background (decrease in estrogen production) in postmenopause.¹.

List of 10 inexpensive and effective drugs for osteoarthritis according to KP

For the treatment of osteoarthritis, medications from different drug groups are used:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
painkillers, glucocorticoids,
chondroprotectors,
angioprotectors.

NSAIDs and painkillers are prescribed not only in the form of drugs for oral administration, but also in the form of ointments, gels, injections. Chondroprotectors are most often presented in the form of drugs for oral administration.². Today we will consider inexpensive and effective drugs that are prescribed for osteoarthritis.

1. Diclofenac

A drug from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drugs. It is produced in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration, tablets for oral administration and as an ointment for external use. In osteoarthritis, the drug can be prescribed in any of the dosage forms. To relieve a slight pain syndrome, ointment and tablets are used. With intense pain, injections are prescribed.

The main indications for the use of Diclofenac are inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Means are prescribed for rheumatoid, chronic, juvenile spondylitis, osteoarthritis, arthritis, bursitis, pain syndromes from the spine. The tool helps to eliminate post-traumatic and postoperative pain syndrome, accompanied by inflammation. Effective for migraines.

With oral use of the drug Diclofenac or its intramuscular administration, side effects may occur. Patients complain of malfunctions in the digestive system, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, flatulence. Nervous system disorders may occur: headaches, drowsiness, convulsions, tremors.

The drug is not prescribed for hypersensitivity to diclofenac and auxiliary components. Do not use for erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach, severe renal failure, progressive kidney damage, liver disease, coronary heart disease, uncontrolled arterial hypertension. Diclofenac in any of the dosage forms is not prescribed to children and adolescents under the age of 18, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

2. Nurofen

The drug, the active substance of which is ibuprofen. The drug is available in the form of tablets for oral administration. A separate drug Nurofen Express is produced in the form of a gel for external use. The drugs help relieve pain and are used in case of pain attacks in osteoarthritis.

Nurofen belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and has an effective analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. It is prescribed for joint pain, muscular and neuralgic manifestations.

The tool is contraindicated for use in gastrointestinal bleeding, heart failure, arterial hypertension. It is not prescribed for children under the age of 12, women in the third trimester of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Against the background of taking drugs, side effects may appear, which are an indication for its withdrawal.

You can not combine taking Nurofen with acetylsalicylic acid. Use in combination with anticoagulants and antithrombotic drugs increases the risk of bleeding. Side effects of the drug Nurofen are enhanced when taken in combination with glucocorticosteroids and ethanol.

3. Friend

Nise is a drug from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which relieves inflammation and pain of varying intensity. The product is available in the form of tablets, suspensions and gels for external use. Its use is indicated for arthritis, arthrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The tool is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, not prescribed for children under 12 years of age. The drug should not be used if there is an allergic reaction to the active substance or auxiliary components. If adverse reactions occur, the drug is stopped. Nize in the form of an ointment for external use should not be applied to damaged areas of the skin.

4. Nimesil

A drug from the NSAID group, produced in the form of a powder intended for the preparation of a solution, and in the form of effervescent tablets. The active substance is nimesulide. The drug is prescribed to eliminate acute pain that accompanies any diseases of the musculoskeletal system (back pain, lower back, osteoarthritis, arthritis, bursitis).

The agent is not prescribed for hypersensitivity to nimesulide or other components that make up the agent. The drug is not recommended for use in severe pathologies of the liver, kidneys of the heart. Nimesil is not prescribed to women during pregnancy and lactation, children under the age of 12 years. Alcohol dependence is a contraindication for use.

When combined with oral glucocorticosteroids, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases. Nimesil enhances the effect of anticoagulants.

5. Arcoxia

A drug belonging to the group of coxibs, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The main active ingredient is etoricoxib. Arcoxia is produced in the form of tablets for oral administration, containing 60, 90 and 120 mg of the active ingredient.

Arcoxia is used to relieve symptoms in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondylitis. When taken orally, it not only anesthetizes, but also eliminates signs of the inflammatory process.

Side effects when using the drug in recommended doses are observed infrequently. Arcoxia is not prescribed to women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, children and adolescents under the age of 16 years. It is not recommended to take the drug with oral anticoagulants, diuretics and acetylsalicylic acid preparations. With caution, Arcoxia is prescribed in conjunction with oral contraceptives, in some cases the combination can provoke serious side effects, such as thromboembolism of the veins of the lower extremities.

6. Celebrex

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug from the coxiba group. The active ingredient is celecoxib. The drug is produced in the form of capsules containing 100 and 200 mg of the active substance. The drug has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, is well absorbed when taken orally.

Celebrex is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis. Helps to quickly relieve pain of varying intensity. With caution, the drug is prescribed for violations in the work of the liver and kidneys, diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Data on the use of the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not available, since no tests have been conducted. The composition is not prescribed to children and adolescents.

7. Movalis

The drug Movalis, the active ingredient of which is meloxicam, belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The drug is produced in the form of tablets for oral administration, a solution for intramuscular injection and in the form of rectal suppositories.

This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug belongs to enolic acid derivatives. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect. The use of the drug is indicated for various diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including osteoarthritis with a pain component.

Do not prescribe the drug to patients with hypersensitivity to active or auxiliary components, women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, children and adolescents under 12 years of age. There is information that the drug reduces the effectiveness of intrauterine contraceptives.

8. Chondroitin Glucosamine

Chondroitin and glucosamine are a combination of bone and cartilage metabolism correctors. The tool stimulates bone regeneration and is characterized by sufficient bioavailability. The drugs are indicated for use in osteoarthritis of 1-3 degrees and show sufficient effectiveness.

Against the background of the reception, side effects may occur, namely allergic reactions, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, dizziness, swelling, drowsiness, insomnia. If side effects occur, dose adjustment or drug withdrawal is indicated. The use of the composition is contraindicated in phenylketonuria and individual sensitivity to the components of the composition.

9. Teraflex

Teraflex is a drug based on chondroitin and glucosamine. The agent belongs to the group of anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic compounds, is a corrector of the metabolism of bone and cartilage tissue, a stimulator of tissue repair. The drug is indicated for osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis of 1-3 degrees³.

In most cases, the drug is well tolerated, but in individuals with individual hypersensitivity to the components, allergic reactions may occur. The drug is not prescribed to patients with severe chronic renal pathologies, during pregnancy and lactation. Teraflex is not used in pediatrics, it is prescribed to adolescents over the age of 15 years.

The drug improves the absorption of tetracyclines, but reduces the effect of semi-synthetic penicillins. The agent is compatible with oral glucocorticosteroids and NSAIDs. Teraflex does not affect consciousness, does not provoke dizziness, therefore its reception is allowed to persons driving vehicles.

10. Arthr

The drug Artra is produced in the form of film-coated tablets. The drug is a corrector of bone and cartilage metabolism. With regular intake, the active substances chondroitin sulfate sodium and glucosamine hydrochloride help to start the process of stimulation of cartilage tissues. The use of the drug is indicated for osteoarthritis of the peripheral joints and spine.

The drug Artra is not prescribed to patients with diseases of the liver and kidneys, with an individual susceptibility of the body to the components of the composition. With extreme caution, the drug is prescribed for bronchial asthma and diabetes mellitus. Data on the appointment of the drug to women during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not available.

How to choose drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis

For the treatment of osteoarthritis, drugs of various drug groups are used. Some of them provide the elimination of swelling, inflammation and pain. Others restore the structural and qualitative characteristics of cartilage tissues (chondroprotectors)⁴. In most cases, the treatment regimen is developed individually.

An orthopedic surgeon or surgeon takes into account various factors, including the age of the patient, the severity of the course of osteoarthritis and its clinical picture, and the presence of concomitant diseases. Only a doctor will be able to advise the best and inexpensive drugs for osteoarthritis, which will be effective in a particular case.