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Medications for Osteoarthritis

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
A-G Profen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
acetaminophen / aspirin Rate Add review
OTC N N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen / aspirin systemic
Drug class:
analgesic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
acetaminophen / caffeine Rate Add review
OTC N N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen / caffeine systemic
Brand names:
Excedrin Quick Tab, Excedrin Tension Headache
Drug class:
analgesic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Addaprin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Advil Liqui-Gels Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aflaxen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
All Day Pain Relief Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
All Day Relief Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Anaprox-DS Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aristospan Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
triamcinolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Arthricare Cream Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
methyl salicylate topical
Drug class:
topical rubefacient
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Arthricream Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
trolamine salicylate topical
Drug class:
topical rubefacient
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
Arthriten Rate Add review
OTC N N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine systemic
Drug class:
analgesic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Arthritis Pain Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Asper-Flex Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
trolamine salicylate topical
Drug class:
topical rubefacient
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
Aspercreme Arthritis Pain Relief Gel Rate Add review
OTC C N
Generic name:
diclofenac topical
Drug class:
topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aspergum Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aspiritab Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aspirtab Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Axsain Off-label Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Off-label:
Yes
Backaid Inflammatory Pain Formula Rate Add review
OTC N N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine systemic
Drug class:
analgesic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Bayer Aspirin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
betamethasone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
betamethasone systemic
Brand name:
Celestone Soluspan
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Boroleum Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
methyl salicylate topical
Drug class:
topical rubefacient
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Capsin Off-label Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Off-label:
Yes

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Osteoarthritis

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Osteoarthritis. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Osteoarthritis.

Learn more about Osteoarthritis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.