Medicines and products for osteoarthritis

Treatment of osteoarthritis combines non-drug care with medicines when needed. Always use medicines under medical advice.

Commonly used options

• Paracetamol: for mild pain at the correct dose. Do not exceed the daily limit.
• Topical NSAID gels: diclofenac gel is often tried first for knee and hand pain, with fewer side effects than tablets
• Oral NSAIDs: such as ibuprofen, naproxen or etoricoxib for short periods at the lowest dose. They can harm the stomach, kidneys and heart, and raise blood pressure. Avoid them without advice if you have kidney disease, ulcers, heart disease or take blood thinners.
• Duloxetine: sometimes used for persistent pain
• Joint injections: corticosteroid for short-term flares; hyaluronic acid has mixed evidence
• Physiotherapy, braces and walking aids
• Surgery: joint replacement when pain and function are severely affected

Ayurvedic and herbal products

Guggulu, Shallaki (Boswellia), turmeric and oils are sold widely. Evidence is limited and quality varies. Choose products from reputable makers, and avoid ones with unlisted ingredients. They can interact with medicines.

Safety points

• Do not take two NSAIDs together
• Do not buy steroid-containing "arthritis powders" or unlabelled tablets
• Tell your doctor about every product you take

See a doctor if you need pain medicine most days, or notice black stools, swelling of the legs or breathlessness.

When to get help

Book a visit with your doctor or an orthopaedic or rheumatology clinic if joint pain keeps returning, limits walking, stairs or sleep, or if you are unsure which treatments are safe with your other medicines. Early advice often avoids unnecessary scans, tablets and bed rest, and lets you start the right exercise plan sooner.

Remember

The safest plan uses exercise first and the lowest effective medicine dose, reviewed regularly.