Contents:
- Medical Video: What Causes Osteoarthritis Joint Disease? - Manipal Hospital
- Medication for osteoarthritis at the beginning of treatment
- 1. Analgesic (pain reliever)
- 2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- 3. Topical analgesics
- Medications for advanced stage osteoarthritis
- 1. Corticosteroids
- 2. Injection of hyaluronic acid
Medical Video: What Causes Osteoarthritis Joint Disease? - Manipal Hospital
Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as joint calcification, is the most common form of arthritis. This is characterized by wear and tear and cartilage loss in the joints. As a result, the bones rub against each other. This happens naturally with age. Knowing some types of drugs for osteoarthritis can help you to overcome the pain that occurs.
This disease occurs because of an injury to the joint that is usually caused by excessive weight (obesity). This can cause pain and swelling that disrupts your movements in activities. There are many anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers that you can get at the pharmacy. However, consult first about the use of drugs that you will consume.
Medication for osteoarthritis at the beginning of treatment
Treatment for joint calcification usually starts with taking low-dose drugs with few side effects. The following drugs are included in this category.
1. Analgesic (pain reliever)
This is a painkiller that can reduce pain, but does not work to treat inflammation that occurs in the joints. This drug works by blocking signals in the body that produce pain. Examples of analgesic drugs include:
Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
This drug is in the form of capsules, gels, tablets, or liquids taken by mouth. It is not recommended to consume this drug as much as 3,000 milligrams per day. The use of this drug in the long term can cause liver damage or liver failure. Compared to other drugs, acetaminophen has the fewest side effects that are often recommended by doctors.
Duloxetine (cymbalta)
This is actually used to treat depression, but it can also treat chronic pain due to calcification of joints. Reporting from Healthline, the use of this drug is approved to relieve pain due to osteoarthritis according to Food and Drugs Administration in the United States, which is equivalent to the POM.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
If the previous two drugs were not very effective, NSAIDs could be an alternative, but at very low doses. This can reduce inflammation and pain, but with more serious side effects from acetaminophen.
Long-term use can cause irritation to the stomach, stomach, and kidneys and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, NSAID drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen may only be used within ten days.
Then, there is naxproven which can fight pain and inflammation without the risk of causing heart disease. It's just that the side effects include indigestion, headaches, dizziness and cause drowsiness.
Diclofenac is also available in the form of oral (drink) and topical (topical, external medicine) to reduce pain due to calcification of joints. Other drugs belonging to NSAIDs that can treat this disease, such as:
- celecoxib (celebrex)
- piroxicam (feldene)
- indomethacin (indocin)
- Meloxicam (Mobic Vivlodex)
- ketoprofen (orudis, ketoprofen ER, oruvail, actron)
- sulindac (clinorin)
- diflunisal (dolobid)
- nabumetone (relafen)
- oxaprozin (daypro)
- tolmetin (tolmetin sodium, tolectin)
- salsalate (disalcid)
- etodolak (lodine)
- fenoprofen (nalfon)
- flurbiprofen (ansaid)
- ketorolac (toradol)
- meclofenamate
- mefenamic acid (ponstel)
3. Topical analgesics
This (topical) external medicine is in the form of an ointment, gel, cream or patch. This is an alternative medicine from drinking medicine or an injection for OA. Some topical treatments can relieve pain with short duration and some for longer. Topical analgesics include:
- Capsaicin (capzasin, zostrix, icy hot). Shaped patch that when applied creates a feeling of heat on the skin.
- Solution of sodium and diclofenac solution (voltaren, flector patch, solaraze, pennsaid).
- Lidocaine patch. This medication can treat certain areas of pain, but is usually not given as first-line treatment.
- Methylsalicylic and menthol (Bengay). This drug cream is made from mint and also contains NSAIDs, such as topical aspirin
- Trolamine (aspercreme). This topical cream contains aspirin-like drugs that reduce inflammation and pain.
Medications for advanced stage osteoarthritis
If the disease has progressed to an advanced stage and the pain is getting worse, then you can take the following drugs for osteoarthritis:
1. Corticosteroids
This drug is used to treat calcification of joints that are getting worse. This can be obtained in the form of oral medication or injections. However, this drug has side effects on the stomach, high blood pressure, and cataracts. Unlike NSAIDs, this drug does not affect the kidneys and is quite safe for kidney patients.
This drug can only be used in the short term, for example several injections in one year. Corticosteroid drugs include:
- prednisone (deltasone, sterapred, liquidpred)
- betamethasone
- cortisone
- dexamethasone (dexpak, taperpak, decadron, haxadrol)
- hydrocortisone (cortef, A-hidrokort, hydrocorton)
- methylprednisolone (methacort, depopred, predacorten)
- prednisolone
2. Injection of hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in the joint, this injection is done to treat osteoarthritis. However, this treatment is still debated because of the side effects that cause allergic reactions, pain, or swelling at the injection site.
Before using the drug, besides getting a prescription from a doctor, make sure also to read the rules of use on the packaging and use it according to the dosage. In addition, it is better to take precautions to reduce pain in the joints, such as regulating body weight and avoiding unhealthy lifestyles (smoking or drinking alcohol).