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For Your Protection

The information we've gathered - from existing research on medications, as well as in-depth interviews with specialists, pharmacists and consumers - should help readers understand that the enemy isn't their medications, but the disease that requires their use. The potential for permanent joint damage and disability from inflammatory arthritis is far greater and far more likely than the complications sometimes caused by medications (most of which are reversible).

The information provivded here is designed to give you a crash course in arthritis medications so that you have the knowledge to make informed decisions about your treatment regimen and to ask your doctor or pharmacist specific questions.

The information contained in this section isn't intended to - nor could it - meet the individual needs of everyone who reads it. The following are exceptions to be aware of:

If you have one or more joints that are persistently painful or swollen for more than six weeks, consult your doctor. The correct medication can't be prescribed unless you have a formal diagnosis from your doctor.
The information contained here is educational in nature; it can't replace the knowledge and experience of your doctor. The information applies to adults only.
The dosages indicated are the manufacturers' recommendations, but that doesn't mean that's what your doctor will prescribe; he or she may adjust your dose to meet your specific needs.
If you're taking medication for another long-term health problem (such as heart, liver and kidney conditions, high blood pressure, ulcers or asthma), make sure your doctor knows about it. Arthritis medications can interact with medications for other conditions in ways too numerous to describe here. You should also inform your doctor if you know you're allergic to a specific medication.
Similarly, if you're pregnant, trying to be, or breast-feeding, make sure your doctor knows. Your medication may have to be changed or temporarily halted, since certain medications can be passed on through the placenta or mother's milk.
With age, there's a natural decline in our liver and kidney function, which affects how our bodies assimilate medications. If you're 65 or older, your doctor will likely want to monitor your condition a little more closely than before, and he or she may suggest reducing the dosage of your medication to account for these changes. Seniors are also more vulnerable to stomach and digestive tract upset because of a natural decline in the stomach lining that protects the stomach wall. Many arthritis medications are acidic in nature, so it's important that your gastrointestinal (GI) response to medications be closely monitored, as well.

It is also important to be aware of what we like to call 'prescription smarts'. These are bits of information that we think will help you to make safer and more effective use of arthritis medications. To learn more about this subject click on the side bar links.

This page was last reviewed/updated on : 02/23/2008