In this podcast, the team of Therapeutics Initiative  reviews the pharmacological and non pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis.

“In our 32nd episode we review the therapeutic options for the treatment of osteoarthritis. We first deal with lifestyle interventions for osteoarthritis. We consider the pain pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen, topical or oral NSAIDs, and opiates as well as some of the other osteoarthritis therapies such as glucosamine or steroid injections”.

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Drugs related to this osteoarthritis treatment podcast:

NSAIDs

Salicylates: Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), Amoxiprin, Benorylate/Benorilate, Choline magnesium salicylate, Diflunisal, Ethenzamide, Faislamine, Methyl salicylate, Magnesium salicylate, Salicyl salicylate, Salicylamide.

Arylalkanoic acids : Diclofenac, Aceclofenac, Acemethacin, Alclofenac, Bromfenac,
Etodolac, Indomethacin, Nabumetone, Oxametacin, Proglumetacin, Sulindac, Tolmetin.

2-Arylpropionic acids (profens): Ibuprofen, Alminoprofen, Benoxaprofen (withdrawn from the market), Carprofen, Dexibuprofen, Dexketoprofen, Fenbufen, Fenoprofen, Flunoxaprofen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuproxam, Indoprofen, Ketoprofen (Actron, at least, has been withdrawn from the market.), Ketorolac, Loxoprofen, Naproxen, Oxaprozin, Pirprofen, Suprofen, Tiaprofenic acid

N-Arylanthranilic acids (fenamic acids): Mefenamic acid, Flufenamic acid, Meclofenamic acid, Tolfenamic acid

Pyrazolidine derivatives: Phenylbutazone, Ampyrone, Azapropazone, Clofezone, Kebuzone, Metamizole, Mofebutazone, Oxyphenbutazone, Phenazone, Sulfinpyrazone

Oxicams: Piroxicam, Droxicam, Lornoxicam, Meloxicam, Tenoxicam

COX-2 inhibitors: Celecoxib (FDA alert), Etoricoxib (FDA withdrawn), Lumiracoxib TGA cancelled registration, Parecoxib FDA withdrawn, Rofecoxib (withdrawn from market), Valdecoxib (withdrawn from market )

Sulphonanilides: Nimesulide (banned by several countries for the potential risk of hepatotoxicity)

Opioids

Oxycodone, Codeine, Morphine, Tramadol.

Others: Acetaminophen, Glucosamine sulfate, Rubefacients

Source: Episode 32: Aches and Pains: An Overview of Osteoarthritis Treatment (Therapeutics Initiative Podcast – December 3rd)

Osteoarthritis and depression often go hand in hand so it’s perfectly understandable that, occasionally, you will become emotionally overwhelmed when the chronic pain of your osteoarthritis gets too much.

It seems that depression increases the pain of osteoarthritis and sometimes your pain can be simply too much to cope with. And that may leave you feeling just too depressed to attempt alternative osteoarthritis treatment of any kind. At times like this you do need support.

You may already have support from your partner, family or friends but if you don’t there are support groups out there…and they can be a very effective way of helping you cope with the emotional problems and depression caused by osteoarthritis.

Support groups are becoming increasingly important, particularly for those who feel isolated. If you can’t find a local support group that you can meet face to face then there are many online groups, which you can contact.

If you are feeling very depressed and don’t think a support group would be able to lift you out of your gloom then ask your doctor to refer you to a counsellor. By going to your doctor you’re more likely to be recommended to a properly qualified counsellor or psychotherapist. Counselling will help you to cope with depression and the stresses in your life.

There are different types of counselling but basically they are all concerned with talking things through and discussing your feelings and your situation. It helps you develop an awareness of yourself and the way in which you function.

Some counselors are also psychotherapists. They may recommend a course of cognitive behavioral therapy, the aim of which is to encourage you to focus on your negative thoughts so that you learn to recognize the connection between those thoughts and the stress or depression you’re feeling.

Once you realize that your negative attitude contributes to your emotional turmoil then hopefully you can take a more positive approach that will help to lift your depression and relieve your stress.

You will have realized that taking charge of osteoarthritis pain management yourself is not easy…it is certainly much easier to keep taking prescription drugs.

But if you are concerned about the long-term effects of taking drugs and you really want to improve your quality of life then alternative osteoarthritis treatment is the only way forward.