Options for Arthritis Pain

Newsweek, December, 2002 by Robert Shmerling, M.D., Harvard Medical School; Catherine Ulbricht, Pharm.D., and Ethan Basch, M.D., Harvard Health Publications

More than 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis. For most cases, conventional treatment involves exercise as well as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Though effective for easing pain, aspirin and the NSAIDs can cause serious gastrointestinal damage when used at high doses for long periods. The newer NSAIDs such as celecoxib (Celebrex) and rofecoxib (Vioxx) may be kinder to the stomach, but there are hints that drugs from this class may increase the risk of a heart attack. No wonder people are looking for alternatives. Here are some potential remedies:

n Glucosamine. Despite lingering doubts, many experts now believe that glucosamine (a dietary...