Quote:
Originally Posted by golfing eagles
You probably won't like this answer, but......
After 35 years of prescribing arthritis meds, the best one is simply whatever works for the individual patient. There is no rhyme or reason to it. Newer and more expensive is not necessarily better. The same patient can try a med with no effect, then try its first cousin and have good results. Some patients get a good response from common OTC meds or herbals, many don't. Unfortunately, my wife has had no response to anything I tried.
All meds can have "side effects", but remember these are highly touted but rarely an issue. Side effects range from 2-9% of patients taking a drug, and the more serious side effects are generally < 1/2%. It is the 90+% EFFECT that the drug is prescribed for.
You can go the Arthritis Association website, and find the following treatment guidelines (I assume you are talking about ordinary osteoarthritis)
1) exercise
2) diet
3) Tylenol
4) OTC NSAIDS
only after these first 4 are prescription medications advised.
Sorry, I am just the messenger.
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I think that's a great answer! It indicates that the patient has a lot of control. So much better than popping pills. I found that with enough exercise, the need for Tylenol/NSAIDs greatly diminishes and general health improves.