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Experts often recommend the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as the first line of treatment. Share on PinterestDesign by MNT; Photography by AsiaVision/Getty Images & Artinun Prekmoung/EyeEm/Getty ImagesJoint pain, swelling, and stiffness are the most common symptoms of arthritis, which affects about 1 in 4 adults in the United States. Medications for joint pain are available over the counter (OTC) and via prescription. They include oral tablets, topical gels, liquids, patches, and injectable formulations. OTC options are available at most stores and can effectively relieve joint pain. Prescription medications are an option when OTC medications are ineffective or when a person has particular health considerations. This article reviews some medications that doctors recommend for joint pain. Medications at a glance Generic nameBrand namePrescription/OTCDoseSide effectsnaproxenAleve, AnaproxOTC and prescription• fast-acting forms: 220 mg (OTC); higher strength fast-acting forms are prescription• extended release: 375, 500, and 750 mg (prescription)• delayed release: 375 and 500 mg (prescription)• constipation• gas• excessive thirst• headache• dizziness• lightheadedness• drowsiness• difficulty sleeping• burning or tingling in the limbs• cold symptoms• ringing in the ears• hearing problemsibuprofenAdvil, MotrinOTC and prescription200 mg tablets or liquid formulations (OTC) or400–800 mg (prescription) up to 3 times per day• constipation• diarrhea• gas or bloating• dizziness• nervousness• ringing in the earsacetaminophenTylenolOTC• tablets: 325–500 mg• oral solution: 160 mg/5 mL• chewable tablets: 80–160 mg• rash• nausea• headachediclofenac topical • Voltaren Arthritis Pain• Pennsaid• FlectorOTC and prescription• diclofenac sodium 1% gel: 2 g 4 times per day, no more than 8 g (OTC)• diclofenac epolamine 1.3%: 1 patch twice per day (prescription)• diclofenac sodium 2% liquid: 2 pumps (40 mg) up to twice per day (prescription)• diclofenac sodium 1.5% liquid: 40 drops twice per day (prescription)• skin irritation and inflammation• stomach pain• constipation• gas• dizziness• numbness, burning, or tingling in the limbs, hands, or feet• hydrocortisone• triamcinolone • methylprednisolone• A-Hydrocort• Kenalog-IV• A-Methapredprescription3–4 injections per year at a doctor’s office• injection site reaction• worsening pain for 24 hours• infectiontramadolConZip, Ultramprescriptionno common dose for lower back pain• sleepiness• headache• nervousness• involuntary shaking• muscle tightness• mood changes• heartburn• indigestion• dry mouth What is the first-line medication that doctors recommend The first-line treatment for joint pain may vary depending on the underlying condition, a doctor’s experience, and individual health considerations. For osteoarthritis (OA) pain, the Arthritis Foundation (AF) notes that NSAIDs are the most effective treatment for joint pain, as they block enzymes that cause pain and swelling. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are available as patches, topical gels, prescription liquids, and tablets. In a 2019 review, researchers noted that oral NSAIDs provide effective pain relief and help reduce inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The AF cautions that long-term use of NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining and cause gastrointestinal bleeding. These medications can also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, so a person should not use them for longer than a doctor recommends. If people cannot take NSAIDs, they can try taking acetaminophen to reduce pain. However, according to the AF, recent research has concluded that acetaminophen has little effect on OA pain. Still, it may help some people. OTC medications A doctor may recommend two main forms of OTC medication for joint pain: NSAIDs and acetaminophen. Ibuprofen Advil Motrin Ibuprofen is a type of NSAID. NSAIDs work by non-selectively blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2. Blocking these chemicals can reduce inflammation, pain, and fever. The AF recommends NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, as a first-line treatment for joint pain. Ibuprofen comes in several forms, in doses of 200–800 milligrams (mg). A doctor may recommend that a person take 400–800 mg up to three times per day. Ibuprofen may cause side effects. If the following symptoms are severe or persist, a person should contact a doctor: constipationdiarrheagas or bloatingdizzinessnervousnessringing in the ears Ibuprofen can cause other side effects that may be serious. If someone feels unwell or experiences unusual symptoms, they should discontinue using ibuprofen and contact a doctor immediately. Learn more about ibuprofen and its side effects here. Naproxen Aleve Naproxen is another NSAID and is available under the brand name Aleve. It works the same way as ibuprofen, by blocking COX 1 and 2 and thereby reducing fever, pain, and inflammation. Naproxen is available in several forms, including: extended-release tablets: 375, 500, and 750 mg delayed-release tablets: 375 mg and 500 mg fast-acting tablets: 220–550 mgcapsule: 220 mg oral solution: 25 mg/mL The dosage a doctor recommends can vary according to a person’s pain level. For mild to moderate arthritis pain, the dosage may be 220–550 mg every 12 hours. However, people should avoid taking more than 1,650 mg per day and use the medication for no longer than 6 months. Naproxen may cause side effects. If the following symptoms are severe or persist, a person should contact a doctor: constipationgasexcessive thirstheadachedizzinesslightheadednessdrowsinessdifficulty sleepingburning or tingling in the limbscold symptomsringing in the earshearing problems Naproxen can cause side effects that may be serious. If someone feels unwell or experiences unusual symptoms, they should discontinue using naproxen and contact a doctor immediately. Learn more about naproxen and its side effects here. Diclofenac topical Diclofenac is available in oral and topical forms. It is the only topical NSAID currently available in the U.S. Diclofenac gel, liquid, and patches can provide pain relief to the affected joint by applying it directly to the skin. Topical NSAIDs may not work well for everyone, with an effectiveness rate of about 10%. People who tend to benefit from using them are those who:experience side effects from oral NSAIDshave arthritis in smaller jointshave a risk of heart disease or other factors affecting the heartare over 65 The available forms of topical NSAIDs include:diclofenac sodium 1% gel (Voltaren): 2 g dose four times per day, no more than 8 gdiclofenac epolamine 1.3% patch (Flector): 1 patch twice per daydiclofenac sodium 2% liquid (Pennsaid): 2 pumps (40 mg) up to twice per daydiclofenac sodium 1.5% liquid (Pennsaid): 40 drops twice per day Diclofenac may cause side effects. If the following symptoms are severe or persist, a person should contact a doctor:diarrheaconstipationgas or bloatingheadachedizzinessringing in the ears Acetaminophen Tylenol Acetaminophen is available under multiple brand names, such as Tylenol and Actamin. It can help reduce pain by blocking the activity of COX 3. Acetaminophen is suitable for adults and children, but a caregiver should check with a doctor before giving children any medication. Dosing can vary based on form. Adult doses come in 325–500 mg tablets. Children’s doses are available as: oral solution: 160 mg/5 mLchewable tablets: 80–160 mg Common side effects from acetaminophen include:headachesnausearash Acetaminophen can cause other side effects that may be serious. If someone feels unwell or experiences unusual symptoms, they should discontinue using acetaminophen and contact a doctor immediately. Prescription medication In some cases, a doctor may prescribe pain medication to help with joint pain if OTC options are not working well or if a person’s pain is severe. Prescription-strength medications can be beneficial but tend to have a higher risk of negative side effects. Tramadol ConZip Ultram Tramadol, available under the brand names ConZip and Ultram, is a prescription medication that helps block pain receptors in the brain. Some experts consider it an atypical opioid with less potential for misuse and dependence than other opioids. However, many doctors group it with other opioids when discussing medication. Experts recommend the use of tramadol for only certain people, including those who: do not tolerate NSAIDsare not good candidates for surgical interventionsdo not respond to other therapies Tramadol may cause side effects. If the following symptoms are severe or persist, a person should contact a doctor:sleepinessheadachenervousnessinvoluntary shakingmuscle tightnessmood changesheartburnindigestiondry mouth Corticosteroid injections Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation and pain. A healthcare professional will inject a corticosteroid and numbing agent directly into an affected joint. In some cases, they may remove, or “aspirate,” fluid from the joint before injecting the corticosteroid. Doctors often recommend corticosteroid injections for RA and less commonly recommend them for OA. These injections may benefit people who are experiencing severe pain and those who do not respond to other pain medications. A person will typically require 3–4 injections per year. Each injection can provide several months of relief, but after the first dose the medication may not be as effective or work as quickly. An advantage of injected steroids is that, because the doses are low, people rarely experience side effects. The most common side effects are injection site pain, a worsening of symptoms for 24 hours, and possible infection. Many of the side effects that oral steroids can cause, such as weight gain, occur very rarely from injections. However, corticosteroids may cause side effects. If the following symptoms are severe or persist, a person should contact a doctor:headachelightheadednessdelayed wound healingacnethin, fragile, or dry skinpurple or red blotches or lines under the skinskin indentations at the injection siteincreased body fat or movement of fat to different areas of the bodytrouble sleepingunusual happinessextreme mood and personality changesdepressionincreased sweatingmuscle weaknessjoint painirregular or absent menstruationincreased appetitehiccups Steroid injections can cause side effects that may be serious. If someone feels unwell or experiences unusual symptoms, they should contact a doctor immediately. Learn more about steroid injections here. Other injections Although doctors most often prescribe corticosteroid injections, they may also recommend injections of the following substances:hyaluronic acida natural irritant, often a sugar solution, in a procedure called prolotherapyplatelet-rich plasmaautologous conditioned serumstem cells Learn more about knee injections for OA here. Paying for medication Medication costs can add up quickly, particularly when a person is taking medication for long periods. While insurance may help pay for prescriptions, it often does not help with OTC medications. The following organizations may be able to assist people in paying for medications:OrganizationWhat they doPhone numberConnectiveRxaerie savings card1-844-807-9706Medicareprescription drug plans1-800-633-4227Eagle Pharmacy (EyeRx Direct)patient assistance programs1-844-813-3864PAN Foundationpatient assistance programs1-866-316-7263BlinkHealthprescription drug discounts1-833-844-9621NeedyMedspatient assistance programs1-800-503-6897RxHopepatient assistance programs—Medicine assistance toolprescription assistance service571-350-8643PharmacyCheckerprescription drug price comparison—RxOutreachpatient assistance programs1-888-796-1234 What else might help with joint pain While some medications can provide pain relief, a person may find it helpful to supplement with additional therapies such as:acupuncturetai chi, yoga, and other forms of gentle exercisemassagephysical therapytranscutaneous electrical stimulationheat and cold therapy People may also benefit from reaching or maintaining a moderate weight, which may help relieve pressure on the joints. Learn more about home remedies for arthritis here. Summary Several medications can help with joint pain. Many doctors recommend OTC NSAIDs as a first-line therapy. These are available in oral and topical forms. Some doctors may recommend acetaminophen or steroid injections. All medications can cause side effects, which a person should be aware of before taking the medication. If side effects are severe and persistent, a person should ask their doctor about switching medication or changing their dose. People can also try various home remedies to reduce their arthritis symptoms, such as gentle exercise, massage, and heat and cold therapy. Find more arthritis information here. Last medically reviewed on August 29, 2022OsteoarthritisPsoriatic ArthritisRheumatoid ArthritisRheumatologyDrugs 15 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.8 natural therapies for arthritis pain. (n.d.).https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/natural-therapies/8-natural-therapies-for-arthritis-painArthritis. (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/arthritis.htmBrutzkus, J. C., et al. (2022). Naproxen.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525965/Bullock, J., et al. (2019). Rheumatoid arthritis: A brief overview of the treatment.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6422329/Comparing pain meds for osteoarthritis. (n.d.).https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/pain-relief-solutions/comparing-pain-meds-for-osteoarthritisDrugs, herbs and supplements. (2022).https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.htmlJoint injections for arthritis pain. (n.d.).https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/treatment-plan/disease-management/joint-injections-for-arthritis-painJoint injections (joint aspirations). (2022).https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Treatments/Joint-Injection-AspirationKolasinski, S. L., et al. (2020). 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/art.41142Peck, J., et al. (2021). A comprehensive review of over the counter treatment for chronic low back pain.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8119578/Price, M. R., et al. (2022). Systematic review of guideline-recommended medications prescribed for treatment of low back pain.https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-022-00435-3Topical NSAIDs offer joint pain relief. (n.d.).https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/medication-topics/topical-nsaids-offer-joint-pain-reliefTriamcinolone acetonide injection, suspension. (2020).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=5f3aaf3a-cc66-4d4f-b9b7-2c50c325d477van Laar, M., et al. (2012). Pain treatment in arthritis-related pain: Beyond NSAIDs.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3527878/What are steroid injections and how are they used? (n.d.).https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/steroid-injections/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. — By Jenna Fletcher on August 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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