Medications for Joint Pain

Buy your joint pain medications at the pharmacy

With approximately 400 joints, the human body is a mobile and flexible machine that generally remains well-oiled until the late 50s. After that age, joints begin to show the effects of aging, particularly cartilage degeneration and the hardening of certain joint tissues.

It’s important to know that joints—which connect the body’s various bones—are complex structures containing a variety of tissues: connective tissue (supportive), cartilage, membranes, fluid (synovial fluid), ligaments, and more.

These are the most common types of pain in humans, whether acute or chronic, resulting from inflammation or trauma. They affect everyone, from athletes to sedentary individuals, from young children to the elderly. Who hasn’t experienced, depending on their age, a stiff neck, lower back pain, a sprain, muscle cramps, rheumatism, or osteoarthritis?

Different Types of Joint Pain

Each joint is composed of closely linked and interdependent components.

• Cartilage: This connective tissue, which covers the joint surface, forms the interface between two bones. It must be rigid yet deformable to ensure an even distribution of the pressures exerted on the joint.
• The synovial membrane: It secretes synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant within the joint. When too much synovial fluid is produced, it causes the joint to swell. Pain, caused by excess pressure, results.
• Ligaments: A ligament is a band of connective tissue composed mainly of long collagen molecules.
• Tendons: They allow muscles to attach to bones. Their role is essential because tendons that are not sufficiently stimulated or, conversely, worn down by excessive physical activity or excess weight will no longer be able to support the joint during movement. All the stress will then be borne solely by the cartilage and the joint, which will deteriorate rapidly.

Joint pain is pain associated with damage to one ofthe joint’s components: the cartilage (the smooth tissue that covers the contacting surfaces of the bones in a joint),the bone beneath the cartilage (subchondral bone), the joint capsule (the membrane that surrounds the joint), the synovial membrane (the lining that covers the inside of the capsule and secretes synovial fluid), meniscus-like structures in certain joints, and the ligaments that connect muscles to bones.
In general, joint pain is triggered by movement, including passive (without muscle contraction) and gentle movements of the joint. In some cases (such as fractures or osteitis), the pain may even limit this passive movement. It is therefore important to ensure that the muscles are completely relaxed to prevent any pain that might otherwise be caused by the muscles or tendons (during reflex muscle contraction).

Various Medications for Joints and Osteoarthritis

Pain relievers, also known as analgesics, are used to combat pain. Those that act directly at the site of osteoarthritic pain—that is, the joint—are called peripheral analgesics. Certain low-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also be used for their pain-relieving effects.

There are others that affect how pain is perceived in the brain. These are called central analgesics (tramadol, low-dose codeine, etc.). They are more effective than the previous types and should only be prescribed if peripheral analgesics have failed to relieve the pain.

"Strong" central analgesics are very rarely necessary for osteoarthritis. If a doctor needs to prescribe them, they will do so in accordance with very strict guidelines.

How do you choose a treatment to relieve joint pain?

• In cases of septic arthritis, the joint will be aspirated and flushed, then immobilized, and antibiotic therapy will be initiated and subsequently adjusted based on the culture results.
• In cases of microcrystalline arthritis, treatment will consist of anti-inflammatory medication (colchicine combined with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and pain relievers, along with immobilization and the application of ice packs. Relief can be provided with intra-articular corticosteroid injections (intra-articular corticosteroid infiltration), particularly if only one or two joints require treatment.
  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective and can be used in the absence of contraindications (gastric ulcer, heart or kidney failure, anticoagulant therapy).
• In cases of inflammatory arthritis, treatment will consist of anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy while awaiting the onset of efficacy from so-called “disease-modifying” therapy (which targets the underlying disease), which will be initiated immediately but will take several weeks to become effective.
  If only a limited number of joints are affected, intra-articular corticosteroid injections may also be considered. Resting the affected joint is not mandatory.
• In cases of osteoarthritis with an inflammatory flare-up, treatment is based on joint rest combined with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication. Resting the affected joint may be considered for the hip and knee in the event of an inflammatory flare-up.
• If only a limited number of joints are affected, intra-articular corticosteroid injections may also be considered. For osteoarthritis outside of a flare-up, treatment involves simple pain relievers and physical therapy focused on learning to conserve joint function.

(Source: https://www.pourquoidocteur.fr/Symptome/47-Douleurs-articulaires-elles-ne-sont-pas-toutes-liees-a-l-arthrose/p-55-QUE-FAIRE-Douleurs-articulaires)

Precautions for Using Pain Relievers for Joint Pain

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, generic brands) and naproxen (Aleve, generic brands) are two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) available over the counter. In addition to relieving pain like acetaminophen, they also reduce inflammation (swelling). They are a good choice for relieving the symptoms of RA and osteoarthritis.

NSAIDs can be hard on the stomach, so it’s important to always take them with food and never exceed the recommended dose or frequency. NSAIDs may not be suitable for certain people (including those with heart disease, digestive problems, or kidney failure). Therefore, if you have any health issues, check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking them.

Topical NSAIDs can also be used to relieve osteoarthritis, depending on the affected area. Diclofenac gel (Voltaren Emulgel®) is available without a prescription. It reduces pain and inflammation locally and is only minimally absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in fewer side effects and contraindications than oral NSAIDs. It is still important to discuss its use with your healthcare provider.

• Peripheral analgesics are generally well tolerated. However, care must be taken not to exceed the maximum dose prescribed by your doctor and listed on the prescription.
• Although rare, peripheral pain relievers can cause unpredictable side effects (liver problems, allergies, etc.); your doctor is aware of these and will prescribe the medication best suited to your situation.
• Central analgesics may cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and dizziness. These analgesics require medical supervision. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
• Do not combine two pain relievers on your own without consulting your doctor; this is generally unnecessary and increases the risk of side effects.

Your pharmacist’s advice for relieving joint pain

• Physical Activity

Physical activity is the cornerstone of osteoarthritis management and complements treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Simply moving the affected joint helps reduce pain and improve mobility. When exercise is combined with weight loss, the benefits are even greater, since reducing the load on the affected joint—such as the knee—alleviates osteoarthritis symptoms.

• Heat

Heat therapy can help relieve pain. It is recommended to apply a warm compress (e.g., a “magic” bag or a hot water bottle) to the painful area for 10 to 15 minutes, repeating every 1 to 2 hours for a few days. A warm bath can also provide some relief. Before applying heat, be sure to consult a healthcare professional to ensure there are no contraindications to this therapy.

• Relaxation, Stress Management, and Sleep

Various “cognitive” techniques can be used to break the cycle of pain. Muscle relaxation exercises, among other things, help make certain movements less painful and easier to perform, while relaxation exercises help lower the stress levels caused by pain.

Finally, it’s important to combat fatigue, one of the symptoms of chronic pain. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your pharmacist. They can offer advice on improving your sleep hygiene and ensure that your medication is properly adjusted to relieve pain overnight.

• In cases of chronic pain (such as osteoarthritis), taking pain relievers at regular intervals is more effective at managing pain than taking them on an as-needed basis, “when it hurts.”
• It is recommended that you not use pain relievers for more than five days without medical advice.
• It’s best not to take opioid pain relievers (codeine and morphine derivatives) without your doctor’s advice. This type of medication can delay a diagnosis by masking the pain.
• Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor again if the prescribed treatment does not provide sufficient pain relief

What pain relievers are available at our Soin-et-Nature online pharmacy?

Soin-et-Nature offers a comprehensive selection of medications to effectively treat pain and fever:

• Doliprane :: well-tolerated acetaminophen, recommended for treating pain and fever without causing stomach side effects.
• Efferalgan: an effervescent formulation for rapid dissolution and better absorption of acetaminophen.
• Nurofen :: ibuprofen, effective against acute inflammatory pain and persistent muscle tension.
• Aspirin: a classic analgesic and antipyretic, also used for cardiovascular prevention under certain conditions.
• Paracetamol: an analgesic with no anti-inflammatory effect, but very effective against fever and mild pain.
• Ibuprofen: a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) suitable for joint and muscle pain, with rapid action against inflammation.
• Treatment for muscle pain: soothing gels, heating solutions, and tablets designed to relieve muscle spasms, cramps, and soreness.
• Joint pain: a range of medications targeting pain and inflammation associated with rheumatic disorders and joint injuries.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: long-acting treatments to relieve chronic or acute inflammation.
• Headaches: specific formulations to effectively treat neurological pain, migraines, and tension headaches.
• Pain & fever: combinations of acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory drugs to manage pain and fever with a single dose.
• Dafalgan: acetaminophen in various forms, allowing for precise dosage adjustment based on individual needs.
• Spedifen: ibuprofen in effervescent sachets for easier administration and faster relief.