Arthritis is mainly treated with about five different types of drugs: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), COX-2 inhibitors, DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), corticosteroids and analgesics. Find out more about these and other drugs below. DRUGS A-B Abatacept Brand Name(s): Orencia Abatacept is used alone or in combination with other medications to reduce the pain, swelling, difficulty with daily activities, and joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have not been helped by other medications. Abatacept is in a class of medications called selective costimulation modulators (immunomodulators). It works by blocking the activity of T-cells, a type of immune cell in the body that causes swelling and joint damage in people who have arthritis. Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Brand Name(s): Vicodin This combination of drugs is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Brand Name(s): Endoset, Percocet, Roxicet This combination of drugs is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Acetaminophen and Propoxyphene Brand Name(s): Darvoset This combination of drugs is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Adalimumab Injection Brand Name(s): Humira Adalimumab is used alone or in combination with other medications (such as methotrexate) to reduce the pain, swelling, and difficulty with daily activities caused by rheumatoid arthritis and to stop the disease from causing further damage to joints. It is only used in patients who have taken other medications to treat their disease and have not gotten better. Adalimumab is in a class of medications called tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of TNF, a substance in the body that causes swelling and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Anakinra Brand Name(s): Kineret Anakinra is used, alone or in combination with other medications, to reduce the pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Anakinra is in a class of medications called interleukin antagonists. It works by blocking the activity of interleukin, a protein in the body that causes joint damage. Auranofin Brand Name(s): Ridaura, Oral Gold Auranofin is used, with rest and nondrug therapy, to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It improves arthritis symptoms including painful or tender and swollen joints and morning stiffness. Azathioprine Brand Name(s): Azasan, Imuran Azathioprine is used with other medications to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. It is also used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis when other medications and treatments have not helped. Azathioprine is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by weakening the body’s immune system so it will not attack the transplanted organ or the joints. [header=Drugs C-G] DRUGS C-G Celecoxib Brand Name(s): Celebrex Celecoxib is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Celecoxib is in a class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain and inflammation. Codeine Brand Name(s): Tylenol #3 (see full list at link above) Codeine is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Cyclosporine Brand Name(s): Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf Cyclosporine is used alone or with methotrexate (Rheumatrex) to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in patients whose symptoms were not relieved by methotrexate alone. Cyclosporine and cyclosporine (modified) are in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. They work by decreasing the activity of the immune system. Dexamethasone Oral Brand Name(s): Decadron Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, is similar to a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands. It often is used to replace this chemical when your body does not make enough of it. It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis. Diclofenac and Misoprostol Brand Name(s): Arthrotec The combination of diclofenac and misoprostol is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have a high risk of developing stomach ulcers. Diclofenac is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain and inflammation. Misoprostol is in a class of medications called prostaglandins. It prevents ulcers caused by diclofenac by protecting the stomach lining and decreasing stomach acid production. Diclofenac Ophthalmic Brand Name(s): Cataflam, Voltaren Diclofenac is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It is in a class of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Diflunisal Brand Name(s): Dolobid Diflunisal is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Diflunisal is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Etanercept Injection Brand Name(s): Enbrel Etanercept is used alone or in combination with other medications to reduce the pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Etanercept is in a class of medications called tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of TNF, a substance in the body that causes swelling and joint damage in arthritis. Etodolac Brand Name(s): Lodine Etodolac tablets, capsules, and extended-release tablets are used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Etodolac is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Fenoprofen Brand Name(s): Nalfon Fenoprofen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Fenoprofen is also used to relieve mild to moderate pain from other causes. Fenoprofen is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Fentanyl Skin Patch Brand Name(s): Duragesic Fentanyl is used in surgery as a general anesthetic and is available in a patch form to treat severe, chronic pain. It is in a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. Flurbiprofen Brand Name(s): Ansaid Flurbiprofen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Flurbiprofen is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. [header=Drugs H-M] DRUGS H-M Hydrocortisone Brand Name(s): Cortef, Hydrocortone Corticosteroids are a family of compounds that include the adrenal steroid hormone cortisol (hydrocortisone) and related synthetic drugs, such as prednisone. Both the natural and synthetic compounds are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Oral corticosteroids can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Hydroxychloroquine Brand Name(s): Plaquenil Hydroxychloroquine is in a class of drugs called antimalarials. It is used to prevent and treat acute attacks of malaria. It is also used to treat discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in patients whose symptoms have not improved with other treatments. Ibuprofen Brand Name(s): Advil, Motrin Prescription ibuprofen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Indomethacin Brand Name(s): Indocin Indomethacin is a member of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) family of drugs. NSAIDs reduce inflammation, pain, and temperature. Indomethacin is used to reduce pain/swelling involved in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and headaches. Infliximab Injection Brand Name(s): Remicade Infliximab is used to relieve the symptoms of certain autoimmune disorders (conditions in which the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body and causes pain, swelling, and damage) including rheumatoid arthritis that is also being treated with methotrexate, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Ketoprofen Brand Name(s): Actron, Orudis, Oruvail Ketoprofen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Leflunomide Brand Name(s): Arava Leflunomide is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Leflunomide decreases the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and slows damage to joints caused by the disease. Meclofenamate Brand Name(s): Meclomen Meclofenamate is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Meclofenamate is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Mefanamic Acid Brand Name(s): Ponstel Mefenamic acid is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Mefenamic acid is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Meloxicam Brand Name(s): Mobic Meloxicam is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Meloxicam is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Methotrexate Brand Name(s): Rheumatrex, Trexall Methotrexate is used to treat severe, active rheumatoid arthritis that cannot be controlled by certain other medications. Methylprednisolone Oral Brand Name(s) Medrol, Meprolone Methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid, is similar to a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands. It is often used to replace this chemical when your body does not make enough of it. It relieves inflammation and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis. [header=Drugs N-Z] DRUGS N-Z Nabumetone Brand Name(s): Relafen Nabumetone is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Nabumetone is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Naproxen Brand Name(s): Aleve, Naprosyn Prescription naproxen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Naproxen is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Oxaprozin Brand Name(s): Daypro Oxaprozin is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Oxaprozin is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Oxycodone Brand Name(s): OxyContin Oxycodone is used to relieve moderate to moderate-to-severe pain. Piroxicam Brand Name(s): Feldene Piroxicam is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Piroxicam is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Prednisone Brand Name(s): Deltasone Prednisone is used to treat certain types of arthritis. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works to treat patients with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works. Propoxyphene Brand Name(s): Darvon Propoxyphene is a narcotic analgesic used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Sulfasalazine Brand Name(s): Azulfidine Sulindac Brand Name(s): Azulfidine EN-tabs Sulfasalazine delayed-release (Azulfidine EN-tabs) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children whose disease has not responded well to other medications. Sulfasalazine is in a class of medications called anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by reducing inflammation inside the body. Pentazocine and Naloxone Brand Name(s): Talwin NX The combination of pentazocine and naloxone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Tolmetin Brand Name(s): Tolectin Tolmetin is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Tolmetin is also used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children 2 years of age and older. Tolmetin is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Tramadol Brand Name(s): Ultram Tramadol is a drug, unrelated to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opiates, used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. More from Prevention: Dr. Weil’s Natural Arthritis Relief
