What Medicines Are Used for Arthritis?

Analgesics

• Analgesics are used to decrease pain in the joints. Analgesics, however, do not help reduce swelling. Types of analgesics include Tylenol, Vicodin and Ultram.
  
  

Counterirritants

• Counterirritants most commonly come in the form of creams and ointments. Counterirritants contain menthol or capsaicin which block the nervous system from sending messages of pain from the joint to the brain.
  
  

NSAIDs

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, help relieve both pain and inflammation from joints. NSAIDs come in creams and ointments as well as pills and capsules. Common NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen.
  
  

Corticosteroids

• Corticosteroids helps reduce inflammation while also suppressing the immune system. Corticosteroids can be taken in pill form or injected straight into the inflicted area.
  
  

DMARDs

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, are commonly used to fight rheumatoid arthritis. DMARDs also suppress the immune system by not allowing the immune system to help in the defense of the joint.