Best Arthritis Drugs With The Least Side Effects

Arthritis is a disease that affects joints usually causing inflammation and swelling, making them rigid and painful.

It has several different types like osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., each having different symptoms and is treated differently. 

Also, you have to check out my post on Arthritis Symptoms And Causes.

There are some Arthritis drugs with the least side effects. Though it is incurable proper medication can improve the patient’s condition.

Causes And Symptoms Of Arthritis

Swelling around the joints, fatigue, pain, bony outgrowths, the decline in synovial fluid, ruptured tissues, difficulty in movement, muscle weakness, and stiffness of joints are the most observable symptoms of arthritis. Different risk factors can likely cause the disorder. Above all, it is a genetic disorder and can run in families. 

Factors such as age and sex can add to the probable cause of arthritis. Moreover, any joint injury and obesity can also serve as the leading source of development of the problem. 

Effective Arthritis Drugs With The Minimum Side Effects:

Sadly, Arthritis is a serious problem and it is almost impossible to cure it permanently. However, for lowering inflammation some drugs can be used.

Besides physical therapy and injections, it can be treated with the help of proper drugs. The market is full of many useful medicines that can manage arthritis. Some of them are listed below:

Celecoxib:

It is a part of the drug class known as NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and is one of the best-prescribed medicine. 

The chemical name of this drug is 4-[5-(4-methyl phenyl)-3 (trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide. It is orally administrated and available in 50mg, 100mg, 200mg, and 400mg celecoxib capsules. 

Also, it is given for mild to moderate pain and inflammation. Now how does this drug works? There is an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in this drug that is responsible to produce prostaglandins. Prostaglandins eventually ease inflammation and pain. 

Methotrexate:

The fun thing about Methotrexate is that it was previously known as amethopterin. This one is a popular antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It is one of the best drugs available for treating inflammatory types of arthritis and several types of cancer. 

The chemical name is disodium;(2S)-2-[[4-[(2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl-methylamino]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioate. 

They are available in the form of 2.5mg tablets. Different mechanisms of action are explained for methotrexate, but the most accepted one is the adenosine signaling. 

According to this, intake of methotrexate increases the level of adenosine nucleotides, which then attach to the extracellular receptors, reducing intracellular inflammation.

Ibuprofen:

Ibuprofen is one of the NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) drugs. It is a pain-relieving drug for several conditions like menstrual cramps, headaches, arthritis, etc. The chemical name of Ibuprofen is (RS)-2-(4-(2-methyl propyl)phenyl)propanoic acid. 

As it is one of the NSAID members, its mode of action is similar to celecoxib. It inhibits the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which hinders the production of prostaglandins involved in pain and inflammation.

Naproxen:

It is also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that aids in the relief of several pains like muscle aches, headaches, cramps, and arthritis. Naproxen effectively manages inflammation. Chemically naproxen is known as 2-naphthaleneacetic acid, 6-methoxy-α- methyl-sodium salt, (S)-. It is given orally. 

Naproxen works by inhibiting the action of enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). 

Although both the enzymes behave differently, overall contribution to the decreased synthesis of prostaglandin, which lessens the pain and inflammation.

Diclofenac Sodium:

Diclofenac sodium is one of the most effective drugs for reducing the rigidity and inflammation caused by arthritis. This medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The drug is taken orally and immediate lying after taking medicine is strictly prohibited. 

The chemical name of Diclofenac sodium is 2-[(2,6 Dichlorophenyl)amino]benzeneacetic acid sodium salt. Its working principle is similar to other NSAIDs like naproxen, celecoxib, etc. It stops cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activity, prohibiting prostaglandins from forming and eases inflammation and stiffness.

Diclofenac Pottasium:

Diclofenac potassium is a well-known drug for treating different types of arthritis. Like
some other drugs, as mentioned earlier, diclofenac potassium belongs to the class NSAID
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Chemically, it is called  2-[(2,6-chlorophenyl)amino] benzene acetic acid, monopotassium salt. 

Due to the stoppage of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes prostaglandin is formed less in number. Due to this, pain, rigidity, and inflammation become bearable.

Conclusion:

Arthritis can be very cruel to the bones because these causes swear inflammation in joints and bones. The person who suffers from it experiences extreme difficulty in walking and having a normal lifestyle.

This particular disease indeed has no way of being curable completely. But there is still some hope in the form of drugs. The drugs that I have mentioned have the least side effect and that is the beauty of them. 

Each drug varies from person to person and from treatment to treatment. Factors like age, immunity and physical health play a vital role in determining the drug. Dosage also differs according to age and health conditions.

Before the intake any drug, you must have a consultation with your doctor. Also if you see any allergies after consuming the medicine then called the doctor right away.