You've seen the seemingly endless list of drugs, each promising to bring relief from your daily arthritis pain and inflammation. However, you may not understand just how these medications differ, or exactly how they are meant to treat the disease. Here is an introduction to some of the basic arthritis medications available, with details on possible solutions to your arthritic pain and inflammation.



Analgesics

Arthritic pain can be extremely severe, and most patients turn to pain medications to help relief their suffering. When the pain becomes unbearable, doctors will prescribe strong painkillers called analgesics. Codeine, Tylenol, darvocet, percocet and vicodin are commonly prescribed analgesics. These medications can help to take the edge off of arthritic pain, but they are not effective in reducing or stopping inflammation.

Biologic Response Modifiers

BRMs, or Biologic Response Modifiers, are types of medication that are unique in how they provide arthritic treatment. Derived from living sources, not created in laboratories, BRMs help treat certain aspects of arthritis. Several types of BRMs are available to benefit patients with arthritis. These medications can help to decrease inflammation and increase T-cells in the body. By using a special type of protein, BRMs can help block the harmful affects of rheumatoid arthritis.

Corticosteroid Medications

Corticosteroids bring relief for many arthritis sufferers by reducing swelling and inflammation in the arthritic areas, relieving pain and loosening stiff joints. Doctors will sometimes prescribe corticosteroids to help reduce the inflammation in organs and joints caused by lupus, vasulitis and rheumatoid arthritis. These steroidal drugs are very similar to a compound that is naturally produced by the adrenal glands, so dosage will vary depending on the individual patient. If taken over a long period or time, or used in too high a dosage, corticosteroids can create long-term complications.

DMARD Treatments

DMARDs, or Disease Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs, are prescribed to treat the problems of arthritis. These slow-acting compounds allow their effects on arthritis to gradually strengthen over the course of a few weeks. DMARDs can help stop the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and other types of arthritis. When taken over an extended period of time, these drugs can actually stop damage of the affected joint. Patients suffering with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from DMARD medications.

NSAID Treatments

Celebrex, ibuprofen and aspirin are among the common NSAIDs. These over-the-counter drugs are commonly prescribed for arthritis relief. Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs, are taken to bring the inflammation of the affected area to a minimum. Patients enjoy decreased pain and stiffness, and the affected joints may have an extended range of motion.

Remember, there are more than one hundred different types of arthritis, so don't assume that what worked for your brother, or friend, or coworker will necessarily work for you. Always be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any regime of drugs for arthritis. Be sure to understand what you are taking, how each medication should be taken, and whether there is the possibility of side effects or complications.