Is Motrin Good For Arthritis Pain

Ive Heard That The Nsaid Celebrex Doesnt Affect Your Stomach Cant I Just Take That

Its true that celecoxib is much less likely to cause GI symptoms, and thats because its the only NSAID that blocks COX-2 alone. Other NSAIDs block COX-1 and COX-2. The issue is that COX-1 is also involved in protecting the stomach lining from the acid the stomach produces.

Its the decreased amount of COX-1 that contributes to NSAIDs GI side effects.

However, Celebrex isnt the appropriate choice for every patient, Dr. Bhatt says. For one thing, Celebrex is expensive, and depending on your insurance, it could be difficult to get approval, he explains. Companies want to see that youve tried other drugs first.

Is There A Best Pain Reliever For Osteoarthritis

• By Robert R. Edwards, Ph.D., Contributing Editor

ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Osteoarthritis affects tens of millions of Americans and is a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life across the globe. Other than joint replacement surgery, there is no known cure for OA, and most treatments focus on relief of symptoms such as pain. Often, the first step is non-medication-based approaches such as physical therapy, exercise, and weight loss. Most patients, however, will eventually use pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . Other kinds of medication, such as opioids, have also been tested as treatments for OA, and there is ongoing debate about what treatments are best.

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WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.

DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.

If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.

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What Are The Uses For Aleve Vs Celebrex

Aleve uses

Naproxen is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever.

Celebrex uses

Celecoxib is used for the relief of pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness caused by osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Celecoxib does not prevent the progression of either type of arthritis. It reduces only the symptoms and signs of arthritis. Celecoxib is also approved for patients with familial FAP who have not had their colons removed. Celebrex also is also used for the relief of acute pain and the pain of menstrual cramps .

What Can I Do About The Pain

There is no cure, but a combination of exercise, minor lifestyle changes, proper diet and medication goes far to manage the pain and symptoms of arthritis.

Exercise will help strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected joint and thus helps to support and stabilize the area. Exercise will also promote flexibility and help prevent stiffness. Both physical therapy and recreational exercise can help, but, as with any physical program, they should be discussed with your doctor first. Lifestyle changes such as staying off your feet periodically during the day or picking up objects with both hands instead of one can be easy to adapt to and provide much relief to arthritic joints. A proper diet can mean taking some unnecessary weight off your joints. It will also contribute to your overall health and state of mind. Medications, such as an OTC pain reliever like Advil, can serve to temporarily relieve minor pains associated with arthritis. Ice packs or heat wraps like ThermaCare also may provide some relief. Your doctor will be able to prescribe prescription medication for chronic, severe pain.

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What About Risk To The Liver

Liver problems are rare with acetaminophen and the other pain pillsdescribed in this guide. However, taking too much acetaminophen canlead to liver problems. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle. Keep inmind that other medicines contain acetaminophen . Be sure to check thelabels so that you do not take too much.

How To Use Pain Medications Properly

There are two types of over-the-counter pain medications that can be used for osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever but not an anti-inflammatory. It may help with mild knee pain.

NSAIDs can be more effective because they both relieve pain and reduce inflammation. However, they come with potential side effects and risks. NSAIDs can irritate the lining of the stomach, which may lead to an ulcer or other stomach problems. They also can impair kidney function. Some NSAIDs can increase blood pressure. And theyve been linked to an increased risk for heart disease.

Because of the risks, Dr. Day cautions against using NSAIDs regularly over long periods of time. Instead, she uses NSAIDs for her patients in two ways. First, people who have a flare-up of pain can take them regularly for three to five days and then stop. Second, they can be used over the long term, but only occasionally, maybe a couple of times a week as needed.

If youre taking NSAIDs several times a day for long periods of time, Dr. Day advises reducing their use by maximizing the other treatment strategies. She also suggests trying a topical NSAID, such as diclofenac , which has fewer potential side effects.

Opioid pain relievers are discouraged for long-term treatment of chronic knee pain. The milder narcotic tramadol might be appropriate for occasional use in some people, says Dr. Day.

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What Does This Guide Cover

This guide can help you work with your doctoror nurse to choose pain-relief medicine for osteoarthritis.

• It describes the different kinds of painrelievers.
• It also gives informationabout the trade-offs between pain relief, risks of problems, and theprice of the medications.

This guide is based on a government-funded review of the research about pain-reliefmedicines for osteoarthritis. It includes over-the-counter medications andsome prescription drugs.

Each of the medicines in this guide comes with benefits and risks.

• On the up side, they reduce pain and swelling.They can also help you stay active.
• On thedown side, they may cause stomach bleeding or raise your chance for aheart attack.

People are different in how they weigh benefitsand risks. Some people feel that a small increased chance of heart attack wouldbe okay if they could get the pain relief they need. Other people would not wantthis kind of trade-off.

This guide can help you learn about thebenefits and risks of pain-relief medicines for osteoarthritis. Knowing aboutthe benefits and risks can help you decide what is right foryou.

How Many Advil Or Aleve Should I Take

The usual dosage for Advil is one tablet every four to six hours. You can increase the dosage to two tablets if one is not effective, but make sure you dont exceed six tablets in 24 hours. If youre taking Aleve, the dosage is one tablet every eight to twelve hours. You can take a second Aleve in the first hour if the first pill doesnt work, but do not exceed three in 24 hours.

Note that you should not take Aleve for longer than ten days if youre treating pain, and no longer than three days for a fever. Always take the lowest effective dose, and do not exceed the maximum dosage. Serious adverse health effects could result.

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What Is Aleve What Is Celebrex Are They The Same

Celebrex, brand name celecoxib, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for the treatment of arthritis, pain, menstrual cramps, and colon polyps. Prostaglandins are chemicals that contribute to arthritis pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness caused by inflammation. Celebrex blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins , which results in lower concentrations of prostaglandins. Consequently, inflammation, pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness are reduced. Celebrex is different from other NSAIDs in that it causes less inflammation, and stomach and intestinal ulcers , and does not interfere with blood clotting.

Aleve is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug . Other NSAIDs include ibuprofen , indomethacin , nabumetone and others. These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation.

Are Aleve And Ibuprofen The Same Thing

Naproxen and ibuprofen are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and they work in the same way by blocking COX-2 enzymes and COX-1 enzymes. However, they have different onset times and durations. Naproxen is a long-acting drug, meaning it takes longer to start relieving your pain, but it lasts longer too. Ibuprofen is short-acting, so it starts working more quickly but needs to be taken more frequently.

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If You Take Ibuprofen Every Day You Might Develop An Ulcer

Ibuprofen is taken to relieve pain. However, when taken in excess, the NSAID could actually cause even more pain.

If youâve ever had an ulcer, then you know just how painful they can be. According to Healthline, ulcers are caused by a reduction in the mucus in your stomach. When that mucus is gone, however, acids start to destroy your stomach lining, which often results in a painful ulcer. And unfortunately, taking ibuprofen daily for too long can actually lead to stomach ulcers, or ulcers that develop in your bowel system. In many cases, these types of ulcers might even lead to an emergency room visit.

âPeople think that if a medicine is available over-the-counter, it has no risks,â Doctor Byron Cryer, a spokesman for the American Gastroenterological Association told WebMD. He continued, explaining, âBut about a third of all ulcers are caused by aspirin and other painkillers.â Added Dr. Cryer, âMore than half of all bleeding ulcers are caused by these drugs.â In other words, if you want to avoid a painful ulcer, steer clear of unnecessary ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen Comparative Tolerability In A Large

In the PAIN study, published in Clinical Drug Investigation, overall tolerability of ibuprofen was: 2,3

• Statistically equivalent to that of acetaminophen
• Superior to that of ASA

This large-scale randomized trial comparing nonprescription doses of ASA, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen in 8,677 adults measured rates of significant adverse events related to tolerability. The primary outcome measure was the number of patients with at least one significant adverse event, defined as an event that was serious, severe or moderate, resulted in a second physician consultation, led to cessation of treatment, or was of missing intensity. Statistical analysis tested for equivalence between ibuprofen and acetaminophen and for difference with ASA.2,3*

ASA = acetylsalicylic acid GI = gastrointestinal.* This was a blinded, multicentre study in general practice of up to 7 days of ASA, acetaminophen or ibuprofen , administered for common painful conditions, using patient generated data with physician assistance. 1,108 general practitioners included 8,677 adults . The main indications were musculoskeletal or back pain , sore throat, the common cold and flu .

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Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects may include:

• upset stomach

• swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, lips, face, or tongue
• a decreased amount of urine
• fever with or without chills.

Do not take this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug if you:

• have experienced hives, asthma, nasal polyps, or any type of allergic reaction
• are allergic to any ingredients of the medication
• have severely reduced liver function
• have recently had coronary artery bypass graft surgery
• have severe uncontrolled heart failure
• are less than 18 years of age
• have severely reduced kidney function
• have inflammatory bowel disease

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Acetaminophen Vs Ibuprofen Vs Naproxen Vs Aspirin For Arthritis

There are two different types of arthritis that are treated differently with over-the-counter medications. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on the joints. OA is most commonly treated with acetaminophen . On the other hand, inflammatory arthritis , is most commonly treated with ibuprofen to fight the inflammation within the joints. It is important to discuss what treatment is best with a healthcare provider.

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Important Information About All Medicines

What Is The Dosage For Acetaminophen Vs Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen dosage

• The dose for adults is 325 to 650 mg every 4 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours when using immediate release formulations.
• The dose for extended release caplet is 1300 mg every 8 hours.
• The maximum daily dose is 4 grams.
• The oral dose for a child is based on the childâs age and weight. If less than 12 years old the dosing is 10-15 mg/kg every 6-8 hours not to exceed 2.6 g/day . If older than 12 years of age the dose is 40-60 mg/kg/day every 6 hours not to exceed 3.75 g/day .

Ibuprofen dosage

• For minor aches, mild to moderate pain, menstrual cramps, and fever, the usual adult dose is 200 or 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours.
• Arthritis is treated with 300 to 800 mg 3 or 4 times daily.
• When under the care of a physician, the maximum dose of ibuprofen is 3.2 g daily. Otherwise, the maximum dose is 1.2 g daily.
• Individuals should not use ibuprofen for more than 10 days for the treatment of pain or more than 3 days for the treatment of a fever unless directed by a physician.
• Children 6 months to 12 years of age usually are given 5-10 mg/kg of ibuprofen every 6-8 hours for the treatment of fever and pain. The maximum dose is 40 mg/kg daily.
• Juvenile arthritis is treated with 20 to 40 mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses.
• Ibuprofen should be taken with meals to prevent stomach upset.

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Aspirin: A Special Nsaid We No Longer Use For Pain

Aspirin is another analgesic available over-the-counter.

Its technically also a NSAID, but its chemical structure is a bit different from the other NSAIDs. This is what allows it to be effective in reducing strokes and heart attacks. It is also less likely to affect the kidneys than other NSAIDs are.

Aspirin is no longer used as an analgesic by the medical community. But many older adults still reach for aspirin to treat their aches and pains, because they are used to thinking of it as a painkiller. Aspirin is also included in certain over-the-counter medications, such as Excedrin.

Taking a very occasional aspirin for a headache or other pain is not terribly risky for most aging adults. But using aspirin more often increases the risk of internal bleeding. So, I discourage my older patients from using aspirin for pain.

Does Naproxen Work Better Than Ibuprofen For Pain

Compared to newer NSAIDs such as which belongs to a class of NSAIDs known as COX-2 selective inhibitorstraditional NSAIDs like and ibuprofen work just as well for acute and chronic pain relief. Naproxen and ibuprofen work for aches and pains in the joints and muscles, just like other NSAIDs do. No clear winner here.

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How To Stop Reactive Arthritis Coming Back

There is a risk you could develop reactive arthritis again if you get another infection. The best way to avoid this is by protecting yourself against STIs and bowel infections.

The most effective way of preventing STIs is to always use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, during sex with a new partner.

Read advice about STIs and contraception.

Ensuring good standards of hygiene when preparing and storing food can help to prevent bowel infections. Read about food safety and preventing food poisoning.

Page last reviewed: 09 February 2021 Next review due: 09 February 2024

Working Toward A Personalized Approach To Pain Management

This meta-analysis cannot tell us which of these types of medication should be prescribed for a particular patient. No study can. The person-to-person variation in the effectiveness of any KOA treatment is huge. One patient may get near-total pain relief while another is not helped at all. These findings do give clinicians a benchmark for the typical amount of pain relief that might be expected from these medications, and suggest that, since they work about equally well, the choice of which one to use will be influenced by considerations other than effectiveness. Providers and those suffering with chronic pain also need to weigh potential side effects. Treatment with oral NSAIDs can result in stomach problems like bleeding, ulcer, and stomach upset, as well as high blood pressure and kidney problems. Opioids can have side effects such as constipation, nausea, and drowsiness. As you are also likely aware, opioids are also associated with a risk of serious overdose and addiction.

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