Osteoarthritis drugs

Using the drug NSAIDS to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis is only beneficial for first two weeks.

A new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests that using topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis is only beneficial for the first two weeks.

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Researchers in Nottingham analysed 13 trials comparing topical NSAIDS with placebo or oral NSAIDS in osteoarthritis. The trials lasted up to four weeks and involved 1,983 patients.

Topical NSAIDS were superior to placebo in relieving pain due to osteoarthritis only in the first two weeks of treatment while trials lasting four weeks showed no benefit.

A similar pattern was found for function and stiffness. Topical NSAIDS were inferior to oral NSAIDS in the first week of treatment and were associated with more local side effects such as rash, itch, or burning.