Osteoarthritis Medications
Patients with mild OA may be treated only with pain relievers such as acetaminophen
(Tylenol) or propoxyphene (Darvon). Most patients with OA, however, are given nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These include compounds such as ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis), and Ibuprofen (Ansaid). The NSAIDs have the advantage of
relieving inflammation as well as pain. They also have potentially dangerous side effects,
including stomach ulcers, sensitivity to sun exposure, kidney disturbances, and
nervousness, depression or death.
Osteoarthritis Medications - COX 2 inhibitors
COX 2 inhibitors are the news generation of NSAIDS (nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory
drugs). These medications target only the COX-2 enzyme that stimulates the inflammatory
response. Even though the are still classified as NSAIDS they are much safer than aspirin,
ibuprofen and other NSAIDS. These drugs do not cause the type of stomach and intestinal
bleeding and are safer on the kidneys and liver.
While COX 2 inhibitors are safer than other NSAIDS they are not with out side effects.
These include abdominal pain, nausea, and indigestion.
If you are taking COX 2 inhibitors you should not take other types of NSAIDS.
The most popular of these drugs are Viox and Celebrex.
Osteoarthritis Medications- Steroids
Corticosteroids
are the most potent anti-inflammatory agent; however they have negative effects in the
long-term. A good drug is prednisone, but it is seldom used because it has long-term side
effects, which scare both physicians and patients. These medications are useful in
reducing the whole-body disease with symptoms such as fever, anemia, weight loss,
neuropathy and vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation).
Osteoporosis is on of the most feared long-term effects of
steroid use. If the dose of prednisone is more than 7.5 mg per day over six months, a bone
scan should be done. If bone density is decreased, treatment with etidronate and calcium
may prevent bone loss and permit the continued use of steroid therapy. Prednisone
is the preferred agent because its cheap and effective.
Quick Action to stop inflammation:
Our preference is to try to stop the inflammatory activity
as soon as possible. All inflammation is likened to a fire. You get out the fire
extinguishers and go to work. Drugs are used as short-term tools. Diet revision is used to
control the disease long-term.No matter what pattern the immune attack assumes, our
standard defense can be tried:
- Food Holiday on Alpha ENF - 10 days minimum
- With or without prednisone until the fire is out.
- Pain-relievers, as required
- Rest; free movement, non-weight bearing ( warm pool is
best)
Prednisone is often a magic drug that relieves terrible
pain and suffering often in the first 48-72 hours of therapy. The problems with prednisone
arise with long-term use. The secret of success is to use this drug for brief periods and
attempt to control the disease with diet revision in the long-term. A medium to high dose
of prednisone (20 - 60 mg per day) may be required for several days and then is reduced to
an effective short-term maintenance level between 5 and 20 mg/day.
Steroids, which are injected directly into the joint, may also be used to reduce
inflammation and pain. Injecting steroids into one or two local areas of inflammation
allows doctors to deliver a high dose of medication directly to the problem area. When
doctors give steroids by mouth or intravenously, they can not be sure an adequate amount
of the steroid will eventually reach the problem area
Osteoarthritis Medications - Artificial joint fluid
The recent development of an
"artificial joint fluid" which can be injected directly into the knee has helped
many patients who were not able to take medications. The two medications now available for
patients are called Synvisc and Hyalgan. In a recent medical study Hyalgan, a naturally
occurring sugar, has been shown to significantly reduce the pain of osteoarthritis of the
knee when compared to oral medications.
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