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Posts for Arthritis Drugs

Allopurinol

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Brand Names:

Zyloprim

What is it?

Allopurinol is a drug that is used to prevent gout attacks (or flares). It works by blocking the formation of uric acid, the substance responsible for causing these attacks when it is too high.

What’s In It For Me?

Gout can be very painful. Taking allopurinol on a daily basis will decrease the severity and number of attacks you have.

The Good

Allopurinol has been shown to be both safe and effective for the prevention of gout.

The Bad

It can take several months for you to see the full benefit of this medication. Like all medications, side effects are possible with allopurinol, although there is a very low rate. The most common side effects are skin reactions which occur in about 10%-15% of patients treated with this drug. Also, you may experience worsening gout if you start taking it in the middle of an attack.

The Controversial

Some investigators think that increased levels of uric acid may lead to a higher risk of heart disease. Allopurinol could reduce this risk by decreacing the formation of uric acid.

Fact Boxes

For The Cynic

Lifestyle modifications such as decreased alcohol use and weight loss can also help to decrease the number and severity of gout attacks.

The Cost

Allopurinol is very cheap. It can be found on the $4 list at some pharmacies.

Allopurinol is a very effective drug for preventing gout.  It is by far the drug of choice.

Written by:Chelsea Martinand edited by ProfJameson

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Categories : Arthritis Drugs

Naproxen

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Brand Names:

Naproxen, Anaprox, Aleve

What is it?

Naproxen is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often used for arthritis and other types of pain.

What’s In It For Me?

It works well to decrease pain, and fever. It also helps if your joints or muscles are inflamed.

The Good

Even though it is a common drug that is inexpensive, naproxen is very effective for many different types of pain.

“

The Bad

This drug is usually very safe , but like all medications, naproxen can have side effects. The most common is stomach upset, but taking it with food can help. In some patients at high risk it can cause stomach ulcers . If you are at high risk, your doctor may need to prescribe another medicine to protect yoiur stomach.  One out of a hundred people taking naproxen regularly will get an ulcer.  The rate is higher if you have had ulcers in the past or have  a higher risk for some other reason. 

Naproxen can cause damage to your kidneys if you already have kidney disease or if you are on other medications that can harm your kidneys.

Naproxen can make high blood pressure more difficult to treat in some people.

If you are taking aspirin to protect your heart, you should take your aspirin first thing in the morning and wait at least 2 hours before starting naproxen, because naproxen can stop the aspirin from working.

For The Cynic

The mild pain relief of this drug may not be worth the risk of stomach problems. The stomach problems are worse if you take a high dose and if you taken often.

The Cost

Naproxen is available as a generic without a prescription in lower doses, but it requires a prescription for higher doses. It is very inexpensive.

Naproxen works well to decrease pain and inflammation.  It  can cause stomach and kidney problems. You should talk with your doctor before taking this drug for more than occasional headaches or pain.

Written by:Written by: Jessica Benzer PharmD Candidate and editied by ProfJamesonand edited by ProfJameson

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Categories : Arthritis Drugs
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Meloxicam

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Brand Names:

Mobic

What is it?

Meloxicam is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often used for arthritis and other types of pain.

What’s In It For Me?

It works well to decrease pain, and fever. It also helps if your joints or muscles are inflamed.

The Good

Even though it is a common drug that is relatively inexpensive, meloxicam is very effective for many different types of pain.

“

The Bad

This drug is usually very safe , but like all medications, meloxicam can have side effects. The most common is stomach upset, but taking it with food can help. In some patients at high risk it can cause stomach ulcers . If you are at high risk, your doctor may need to prescribe another medicine to protect yoiur stomach.  About one in a hundred people taking meloxicam regularly  will develop a stomach ulcer.  The rate is higher if you have had an ulcer before or are at high risk for other reasons.

Meloxicam can cause damage to your kidneys if you already have kidney disease or if you are on other medications that can harm your kidneys.

Meloxicam can make high blood pressure more difficult to treat in some people.

If you are taking aspirin to protect your heart, you should take your aspirin first thing in the morning and wait at least 2 hours before starting meloxicam, because meloxicam can stop the aspirin from working.
”

For The Cynic

Some might question if the benefit of pain relief is worth the risk of stomach ulcers.

The mild pain relief of this drug may not be worth the risk of stomach problems. The stomach problems are worse if you take a high dose and if you taken often.

The Cost

Meloxicam is available as a generic and is relatively inexpensive.

Meloxicam works well to decrease pain and inflammation 

It  can cause stomach and kidney problems.  You should talk with your doctor before taking this drug for more than occasional headaches or pain.

Written by:Written by: Jessica Benzer PharmD Candidate and editied by ProfJamesonand edited by ProfJameson

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Flurbiprofen

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Friday, November 25th, 2011

Brand Names:

Ansaid

What is it?

Flurbiprofen is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often used for arthritis and other types of pain.

What’s In It For Me?

It works well to decrease pain, and fever. It also helps if your joints or muscles are inflamed.

The Good

Even though it is a common drug that is relatively inexpensive, flurbiprofen is very effective for many different types of pain.

“

The Bad

This drug is usually very safe , but like all medications, flurbiprofen can have side effects. The most common is stomach upset, but taking it with food can help. In some patients it can cause stomach ulcers . If you are at high risk, your doctor may need to prescribe another medicine to protect your stomach.  About one in one hundred people taking Flurbiprofen regularly will develop an ulcer.  The rate is higher if you have had and ulcer before or at increased risk for another reason.  

Flurbiprofen can cause damage to your kidneys if you already have kidney disease or if you are on other medications that can harm your kidneys.

Flurbiprofen can make high blood pressure more difficult to treat in some people.

If you are taking aspirin to protect your heart, you should take your aspirin first thing in the morning and wait at least 2 hours before starting flurbiprofen, because flurbiprofen can stop the aspirin from working.

”

For The Cynic

The mild pain relief of this drug may not be worth the risk of stomach problems. The stomach problems are worse if you take a high dose and if you taken often.

The Cost

Flurbiprofen is available as a generic and is relatively inexpensive.

Flurbiprofen works well to decrease pain and inflammation.  It  can cause stomach and kidney problems.  You  should talk with your doctor before taking this drug for more than occasional eadaches or pain.

Written by:Written by: Jessica Benzer PharmD Candidate and editied by ProfJamesonand edited by ProfJameson

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Fenoprofen

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Saturday, November 26th, 2011

Brand Names:

Nalfon

What is it?

Fenoprofen is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often used for arthritis and other types of pain.

What’s In It For Me?

It works well to decrease pain, and fever. It also helps if your joints or muscles are inflamed.

The Good

Even though it is a common drug that is relatively inexpensive, fenoprofen is very effective for many different types of pain.

“

The Bad

This drug is usually very safe , but like all medications, fenoprofen can have side effects. The most common is stomach upset, but taking it with food can help. In some patientsit can cause stomach ulcers . About one in one hundred people taking Flurbiprofen regularly will develop an ulcer.  The rate is higher if you have had and ulcer before or at increased risk for another reason.   If you are at high risk, your doctor may need to prescribe another medicine to protect yoiur stomach.

Fenoprofen can cause damage to your kidneys if you already have kidney disease or if you are on other medications that can harm your kidneys.

Fenoprofen can make high blood pressure more difficult to treat in some people.

If you are taking aspirin to protect your heart, you should take your aspirin first thing in the morning and wait at least 2 hours before starting fenoprofen, because fenoprofen can stop the aspirin from working.

”

For The Cynic

The mild pain relief of this drug may not be worth the risk of stomach problems. The stomach problems are worse if you take a high dose and if you taken often.

The Cost

Fenoprofen is available as a generic and is relatively inexpensive.

Fenoprofen works well to decrease pain and inflammation. 

It cause stomach and kidney problems.  You should talk with your doctor before taking this drug for more than occasional headaches or pain.

Written by:Written by: Jessica Benzer PharmD Candidate and editied by ProfJamesonand edited by ProfJameson

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Etodolac

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Brand Names:

Lodine

What is it?

Etodolac is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often used for arthritis and other types of pain.

What’s In It For Me?

It works well to decrease pain, and fever. It also helps if your joints or muscles are inflamed.

The Good

Even though it is a common drug that is relatively inexpensive, etodolac is very effective for many different types of pain.

“

The Bad

This drug is usually very safe , but like all medications, etodolac can have side effects. The most common is stomach upset, but taking it with food can help. In some patients it can cause stomach ulcers .  About one in one hundred people taking Flurbiprofen regularly will develop an ulcer.  The rate is higher if you have had and ulcer before or at increased risk for another reason.   If you are at high risk, your doctor may need to prescribe another medicine to protect yoiur stomach.

Etodolac can cause damage to your kidneys if you already have kidney disease or if you are on other medications that can harm your kidneys.

Etodolac can make high blood pressure more difficult to treat in some people.

If you are taking aspirin to protect your heart, you should take your aspirin first thing in the morning and wait at least 2 hours before starting etodolac, because etodolac can stop the aspirin from working.

”

The Controversial

 

Fact Boxes

For The Cynic

The mild pain relief of this drug may not be worth the risk of stomach problems. The stomach problems are worse if you take a high dose and if you taken often.

The Cost

Etodolac is available as a generic and is relatively inexpensive.

Etodolac works well to decrease pain and inflammation 

 It  can cause stomach and kidney problems. You should talk with your doctor before taking this drug for more than occasional headaches or pain.

Written by:Written by: Jessica Benzer PharmD Candidate and edited by ProfJameson

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Categories : Arthritis Drugs
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Diclofenac

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Brand Names:

Voltaren

What is it?

Diclofenac is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often used for arthritis and other types of pain.

What’s In It For Me?

It works well to decrease pain, and fever. It also helps if your joints or muscles are inflamed.

The Good

Even though it is a common drug that is relatively inexpensive, diclofenac is very effective for many different types of pain.

“

The Bad

This drug is usually very safe , but like all medications, diclofenac can have side effects. The most common is stomach upset, but taking it with food can help. In some patients it can cause stomach ulcers . About one in one hundred people taking Flurbiprofen regularly will develop an ulcer.  The rate is higher if you have had and ulcer before or at increased risk for another reason.   If you are at high risk, your doctor may need to prescribe another medicine to protect yoiur stomach.

Diclofenac can cause damage to your kidneys if you already have kidney disease or if you are on other medications that can harm your kidneys.

Diclofenac can make high blood pressure more difficult to treat in some people.

If you are taking aspirin to protect your heart, you should take your aspirin first thing in the morning and wait at least 2 hours before starting diclofenac, because diclofenac can stop the aspirin from working.

”

For the Cynic

 
The mild pain relief of this drug may not be worth the risk of stomach problems. The stomach problems are worse if you take a high dose and if you taken often.

The Cost

Diclofenac is available as a generic and is relatively inexpensive.

Diclofenac works well to decrease pain and inflammation

It  can cause stomach and kidney problems.  You should talk with your doctor before taking this drug for more than occasional headaches or pain.

Written by:Written by: Jessica Benzer PharmD Candidate and edited by ProfJameson

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Indomethacin

By ProfJameson · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Brand Names:

Indocin

What is it?

Indomethacin is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) often used for arthritis and other types of pain.

What’s In It For Me?

It works well to decrease pain, and fever. It also helps if your joints or muscles are inflamed.

The Good

Even though it is a common drug that is relatively inexpensive, indomethacin is very effective for many different types of pain.

“

The Bad

This drug is usually very safe , but like all medications, indomethacin can have side effects. The most common is stomach upset, but taking it with food can help. In some patients at high risk it can cause stomach ulcers . If you are at high risk, your doctor may need to prescribe another medicine to protect yoiur stomach.

Indomethacin can cause damage to your kidneys if you already have kidney disease or if you are on other medications that can harm your kidneys.

Indomethacin can make high blood pressure more difficult to treat in some people.

If you are taking aspirin to protect your heart, you should take your aspirin first thing in the morning and wait at least 2 hours before starting indomethacin, because indomethacin can stop the aspirin from working.

”

The Controversial

 

Fact Boxes

For The Cynic

The mild pain relief of this drug may not be worth the risk of stomach problems. The stomach problems are worse if you take a high dose and if you taken often.

The Cost

Indomethacin is available as a generic and is relatively inexpensive.

Indomethacin works well to decrease pain and inflammation, but can cause stomach and kidney problems so you should talk with your doctor before taking this drug for more than occasional headaches or pain.

Written by:Written by: Jessica Benzer PharmD Candidate and editied by ProfJamesonand edited by ProfJameson

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