It may surprise you to learn that arthritis is one of the most common diseases in the UK. At last count, more than nine million people have been diagnosed with some form of the disease. Yes, some form. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis.
Because of the prevalence and variety of the disease, there are literally dozens of popular medications that can be purchased either over-the-counter or with a prescription. In this article we will discuss a few of the most popular drugs.
For relatively minor cases of arthritis, most patients rely on topical pain relievers and regular aspirin. A topical pain reliever is a gel or lotion that provides temporary relief of stiffness and pain, while aspirin is a well known anti-inflammatory that reduces swelling. Prescription arthritis drugs required for more serious cases.
Narcotic pain relievers are only prescribed to patients who suffer from extreme pain. Because they are highly addictive, these drugs are only a temporary solution. It is also important to note that they do not actually relive inflammation, they simply drug you out.
Last but not least, there are corticosteroids. Available only with a prescription, these powerful anti-inflammatory drugs were designed to treat the most aggressive forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. Because they are non-habit forming, they can be taken for months, even years at a time. |
