Joint problems most often occur in elderly people, but can also be diagnosed in young people who are often injured, damaging the knee joint. Medical practice has a large experience on the use of various drugs to relieve and treat pain, such as:
- analgesic drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
A wide range of names of prescription and OTC pills for joint pain relief is represented at the US pharmacological market. Dosage form of these medications is also diverse. They may include tablets and capsules for oral administration that may differ in dosage strengths of active ingredients.
For example, a drug Mobic with an active ingredient meloxicam is produced in tablets for oral use, in two strengths: 7.5 mg and 15 mg, which makes it easier the intake of the prescribed dose of this drug.
There are also differences in the therapy of acute and chronic pain. Patients can be prescribed with various pills for joint pain relief depending on the reasons joint problems appear.
Drugs with an active ingredient acetaminophen, which is an analgesic, are often used in mild to moderate joint pain. It can be used for a long time. High doses of this drug may cause the development of various complications of the gastrointestinal tract; thus, patients who have digestive problems should consider this fact.
Novocain, which can be administered intramuscularly, into the trigger point or directly into the joint, is widely used as an invasive therapy.
The treatment of joint pain mostly implies the use of various drugs, but the following methods of non-pharmacological management are also often used:
- yoga;
- massage;
- relaxation;
- acupuncture;
- manual therapy;
- physical therapy;
- cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Regardless of joint pain relief methods, the goal of joint treatment is to prevent the development of deformation and further damage to the articular cartilage structure.
In addition to using knee joint pain relief pills, weight loss can improve the function of the knee joints. Moreover, getting rid of extra pounds positively affects the structural changes in the cartilage stopping the biochemical breakdown of the connective tissues and bones.
Doctors often recommend to use drugs containing acetaminophen, for example, Apadaz immediate-release tablets to treat joints. Any joint pain relief pills you buy at pharmacy should be taken at the minimum effective dose.
Many believe that the cause of joint pain and occurrence of arthritis is a deficiency of vitamin D in the body. Pills for joint pain relief help to alleviate your pain, but do not eliminate the causes of your illness. Therefore, if your disease is caused by a lack of biologically active substances, then use various supplements or diets rich in vitamin D.
Studies show that the use of various supplements, such as glucosamine in combination with drug therapy helps slow the joint damage associated with arthritis. Many patients say that the best supplements for joint pain relief are chondroitin and methylsulfonylmethane.
Excessive use of pills for joint pain relief can be accompanied with the development of complications of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and increased blood pressure. Patients with hypertension and renal failure need mandatory consultation with the doctor before using drugs for the joint treatment.