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Over the Counter Medication for Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common. There are several over-the-counter medications available for the treatment of arthritis pain.

  1. Definition

    • Osteoarthritis occurs from the wear and tear that develops when the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. Joints most affected are in the knees, neck, lower spine, hips, the thumb, and near the tips of the finger.

    Causes

    • Arthritis can be caused by degeneration of the joint brought on by age, or putting the joint under great stress by doing repetitive jobs. Arthritis can also be caused by trauma or an inherited abnormality.

    Oral

    • Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)s help reduce arthritis pain. These oral drugs include acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naxproxen (Aleve).

    Topical

    • OTC topical medications used to treat arthritis pain include Ben-Gay, Icy Hot, Aspercreme, Sportscreme, and various preparations that contain capsaicin, a cream made from hot chili peppers.

    Warning

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen may be a little riskier than using acetaminophen, like Tylenol, as far as cardiovascular disease is concerned. If you do not have risk factors for heart disease, using acetaminophen is relatively safe.

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