When the joints hurt, a person has to refuse the usual activities, and many even take a handful of painkillers, which is completely unacceptable. Together with the experts, we will consider what medications are best for joint inflammation and how to use them.
Joint inflammation, or arthritis, is a pathological condition that is accompanied by pain, swelling, redness of the skin in the affected area and an increase in temperature. The inflammatory process most often affects the joints of the upper and lower extremities. Without treatment, arthritis develops into a chronic form and can cause serious complications, up to the loss of joint mobility. In this article, together with our experts, we will understand the causes of the disease and find out how to treat joint inflammation at home.
The 7 best medications for inflammation of the joints
The question “what to treat joint inflammation” is relevant for everyone who has at least once faced the symptoms of arthritis. The primary task becomes the relief of pain and discomfort that interfere with work and daily activities. We have selected 7 groups of medications for joint inflammation, which are well-proven among doctors and patients and can be used at home.
The most commonly used drugs for arthritis therapy are from the following pharmacological groups:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- immunosuppressants;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid preparations;
- antibacterial and antifungal drugs;
- antiviral drugs;
- drugs to reduce the level of uric acid in the blood.
All medications have side effects and contraindications. Our rating is an overview and does not serve as a guide to action. Consult your doctor before you buy any medications.
NuviaLab Flex is a multi-component bioactive supplement that supports joint health. Regular use of the product helps maintain joint flexibility and supports their comfortable functioning. Importantly, NuviaLab Flex is a bioactive supplement that is effective regardless of the cause of joint problems.
The product’s components help control inflammatory reactions in the body, helping to maintain healthy bones and joints. In addition, the supplement supports collagen production, which leads to optimal cartilage function. The high effectiveness of the product makes NuviaLab Flex the #1 choice for those suffering from joint pain.
NuviaLab Flex review (reviews, how to buy)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs do not affect the course of inflammatory joint diseases, but they help reduce their symptoms: pain, swelling, and inflammation. NSAIDs are used for almost all rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, and psoriatic arthritis. Drugs are prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments, gels, injection solutions.
There are two types of NSAIDs: selective (celecoxib, etoricoxib) and non-selective (indomethacin, ketorolac, ketoprofen, naproxen). Each group has its own pros and cons. Non-selective NSAIDs can negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract: cause nausea, vomiting, development of ulcers and erosions. To protect the gastrointestinal tract, doctors usually prescribe gastroprotectors (omeprazole, rabeprazole). Selective NSAIDs are safer for the gastrointestinal tract, but some of the drugs in this group can provoke cardiovascular complications. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor blood pressure during treatment.
NuviaLab Flex is a multi-component bioactive supplement that supports joint health. Regular use of the product helps maintain joint flexibility and supports their comfortable functioning. Importantly, NuviaLab Flex is a bioactive supplement that is effective regardless of the cause of joint problems.
The product’s components help control inflammatory reactions in the body, helping to maintain healthy bones and joints. In addition, the supplement supports collagen production, which leads to optimal cartilage function. The high effectiveness of the product makes NuviaLab Flex the #1 choice for those suffering from joint pain.
NuviaLab Flex review (reviews, how to buy)
Immunosuppressants or basic anti-inflammatory drugs (BARDs)
Medications in this group help not only relieve symptoms and reduce joint inflammation, but also mitigate or inhibit the progression of the disease itself, bone destruction, and other specific lesions. DAAs are prescribed for autoimmune diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus arthritis.
DAAs are divided into several groups — synthetic (methotrexate, sulfosalazine, hydroxychloroquine, etc.), targeted (tofacitinib, baricitinib) and biological or genetically engineered biologicals (GEBP). Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis usually begins with methotrexate, which is considered the “gold standard” of therapy.
Genetically engineered drugs (monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins) are prescribed if treatment with other DAAs has proved ineffective. Any DAAs are only taken under a doctor’s supervision, as these drugs have many side effects.
Glucocorticosteroids, or GCS
These are hormonal drugs with a strong anti-inflammatory effect. GCS in tablets and injections are used to treat all inflammatory diseases of the joints and connective tissue. Injection of GCS directly into the affected joints is sometimes practiced.
Chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid products
Chondroprotectors (glucosamine, chondroitin) and preparations of hyaluronic acid can be used as auxiliary measures to reduce pain and swelling and improve joint mobility. They stimulate the synthesis of the main components of cartilage that make up the structure of the joint. Drugs in this group help restore the cushioning properties of the joint and protect it from further destruction, and with long-term use reduce the need for NSAIDs. However, chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid preparations are not indicated for the treatment of immunoinflammatory joint diseases.
Antibiotic and antifungal drugs
Antibiotics and antifungal drugs are only used to treat bacterial arthritis. Your doctor may prescribe medications from different groups depending on the results of your synovial fluid and bacterial cultures.
Antiviral medications
Arthritis in viral infections proceed favorably, patients need only symptomatic therapy. Antiviral medications may be prescribed to treat the underlying disease, such as viral hepatitis, rubella, influenza, new coronavirus infection, etc.
Drugs to lower uric acid levels
Uric acid lowering medications (allopurinol, febucostat) are indicated for gout and chronic kidney disease. The goal of therapy is to dissolve the existing crystals of uric acid salts in the patient’s body and prevent the formation of new ones. Colchicine is used to prevent and relieve an acute attack of gout.
Physician reviews of medications for joint inflammation
The answer to the question “what to treat joint inflammation” depends on the cause and symptomatology of the disease. With arthritis of infectious origin, antibacterial therapy is prescribed. With inflammation of an allergic nature pick up antihistamines. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes the use of immunosuppressants, which include cytostatics and glucocorticosteroid hormones. For gout, NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, colchicine, and interleukin blockers1 are commonly prescribed.
Any medications should be chosen by a physician — general practitioner, rheumatologist or neurologist. If the patient’s condition does not require hospitalization, a specialist will advise on how to treat joint inflammation at home.
NuviaLab Flex is a multi-component bioactive supplement that supports joint health. Regular use of the product helps maintain joint flexibility and supports their comfortable functioning. Importantly, NuviaLab Flex is a bioactive supplement that is effective regardless of the cause of joint problems.
The product’s components help control inflammatory reactions in the body, helping to maintain healthy bones and joints. In addition, the supplement supports collagen production, which leads to optimal cartilage function. The high effectiveness of the product makes NuviaLab Flex the #1 choice for those suffering from joint pain.
NuviaLab Flex review (reviews, how to buy)
Popular Questions and Answers
The causes and consequences of joint inflammation are discussed by our expert: Dr. Yong Joon Choi, neurologist of the highest caliber.
What causes joint inflammation?
- Primary arthritis is caused by injuries, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Often the cause of inflammation is an allergic reaction to an infection. This is so-called reactive arthritis, which begins 3–7 days after an infectious disease.
Secondary arthritis develops against the background of a disease. Most often it is gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis and other pulmonary pathologies. A separate group includes rheumatoid arthritis, which refers to autoimmune diseases2. In this pathology, the immune system attacks a person’s own tissues and causes a chronic inflammatory process.
What are the complications of joint inflammation?
- A delayed inflammatory process negatively affects the condition of many internal organs and systems.
The most common complications of arthritis include:
- Episcleral inflammation, which is fraught with deterioration and even loss of vision;
- Pleurisy and formation of rheumatoid nodules in the lungs;
- Inflammation of blood vessels, strokes, and heart attacks.
Inflamed joints can become deformed and lose mobility partially or completely, which significantly limits the ability to work and reduces the quality of life. For example, 30% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis become disabled within 10 years after diagnosis of the disease.
How to quickly relieve joint inflammation?
- At home, you often use folk medicine remedies. Cold compresses that are applied to the affected area for 15–20 minutes help reduce pain. You can do compresses with aloe or cabbage juice combined with honey. A good pain reliever and anti-inflammatory effect has propolis, a product of bees. Applications of softened in a water bath propolis put on the inflamed joint for 2–3 hours.
NuviaLab Flex is a multi-component bioactive supplement that supports joint health. Regular use of the product helps maintain joint flexibility and supports their comfortable functioning. Importantly, NuviaLab Flex is a bioactive supplement that is effective regardless of the cause of joint problems.
The product’s components help control inflammatory reactions in the body, helping to maintain healthy bones and joints. In addition, the supplement supports collagen production, which leads to optimal cartilage function. The high effectiveness of the product makes NuviaLab Flex the #1 choice for those suffering from joint pain.
