At some point in the course of arthritis treatment, virtually everyone takes a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These plentiful and often inexpensive drugs can work wonders at relieving pain and inflammation. Unfortunately, there can be a downside to such medication: stomach upset and bleeding ulcers.
Celecoxib (Celebrex) is a part of a class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors that has been promoted for the ability to ease pain and inflammation while causing less gastrointestinal damage than traditional NSAIDs do. But a COX-2 drug isn't your only drug option if NSAIDs bother your stomach. In some cases, taking an acid-blocking drug along with your regular NSAID may help. These drugs include histamine blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac), or proton pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec). In other cases, doctors may prescribe a drug called misoprostol (Cytotec) along with your NSAID.
Misoprostol reduces the risk of stomach ulcers and promotes healing of existing ulcers by replacing stomach-protective substances called prostaglandins, which NSAIDs block. Misoprostol may also be taken as part of a combination product called Arthrotec, which contains both misoprostol and the NSAID diclofenac sodium. Another combination is Prevacid NapraPac, which packages Prevacid and naproxen together. In still other cases, no special medication is necessary. If your doctor recommends it and you can just reduce the dosage of your current NSAID, stomach problems may become manageable.
Regardless of the medication option you and your doctor choose, there are some things you can do on your own to minimize the risk of NSAID-related stomach upset and other problems. The following tips may help:
- Skip alcohol. You increase your risk of gastric bleeding if you consume alcohol while you're taking an NSAID.
- Take with food and water. Unless the product label or your doctor advises otherwise, always take medications with a full glass of water and some food even if it's just a few crackers. Taking your NSAID along with an antacid/calcium supplement may also help, but first speak with your doctor.
- List your medications. Keep a list of all the medications you take, updating your list as necessary and sharing it with your doctor and pharmacist whenever you start a new medication. Taking some medications together can increase your risk of side effects. For example, taking corticosteroids and blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) along with NSAIDs can increase your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Check the clock. If you take an NSAID once a day, ask your doctor if it's OK to take your daily dose in the afternoon or evening. Taking an NSAID later in the day may be less likely to lead to stomach upset and other side effects than taking the same drug in the morning.
- Don't overdo it. Avoid the temptation to take more NSAIDs than prescribed or more often than prescribed. If your current dose of NSAID doesn't sufficiently relieve pain and inflammation, speak to your doctor about increasing your dose or perhaps changing medications. You also risk overdose and increase your risk of stomach ulcers and other side effects if you take your prescription NSAID and then unwittingly take another medication, such as a cold remedy from the drugstore shelf that contains an NSAID.
































Signed
No need to suffer needlessly
prednisone cause such a severe gastritis while bring a pain of 8 only down to a 7. I have been taking zantac which works as well as prilosec for decades. Two years ago I was in a car accident, placed on oxycodone it allowed me to move enough to get past the pain and make huge improvements in my ability to earn a living. Not only was I able to work but actually participated in some volunteer work and family activities. It seems to me the goverment pressuring physicians to avoid pain medication results in more people having to resort to disability to get relief. I'm not talking about pain medication 24 hours a day but just enough to start moving. Yes exercize reduces inflamation by causing lymphatics and venous return of edema. However it takes a few hours of exercize and then have to keep moving. I wonder how many more taxpaying citizens we would have if the goverment would allow pain releive for chronic conditions.
DEAN
HI.. I think my case is a GOUTY ARTHRITIS base on the symptoms i read on the books. i'm an RN that's why i easily scan on medical books when ever i do feel somethings not right about my body. and just recently my big toe were inflamed and felt pain on it. and then again i went to my books and read something about gouty arthritis.and i guess i do have one. so on my own, i went to the drug store and prescribed my self with celecoxib and allopurinol. Do you think im doing the right thing? I NEED AN EXPERT ADVICE...
It would be nice to stay at home when I am hurting so bad, but I will continue to take care of the ones that depend on me. Guess someone has to step up to the plate. I wish for all with RA--a pain free day.
I can understand your pain. I too have severe arthritis in every joint in my body.
I have had OA for the past 9 years and have deteriorated very rapidly from just a hip to the rest of me.
I take NSAIDs 3x daily and Vicoden at night. I also take Percocet for severe pain and even sometimes that doesn't help. I use a TENS machine often and ice packs on my neck (had ACDF w/autograft and instrumentation 3 years ago.)
Trying my best to hold off taking the really heavy stuff because I have a long way to go with OA and pain (I'm 50 years old.) Not many understand how hard it is to live with the pain of OA. It's very energy draining.
I wish you all the best Maureen!
Do you recommend acupuncture for RA?
How about massage and Chinese herbs?
Thank you
hoe that helps someone.
ask your dr for rx.
shown on the box. When I took it I had no
stomach pain so would like to keep taking it.
Would appreciate your answer. Thank you.
Carol Hill
I HAVE BEEN TAKING DICHLOFENAC FOLLOWINNG LAP-BAND SURGERY.I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER..
WHAT DO YOU THINK?? I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA
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