Tag: Vioxx

Choose Natural Arthritis Medications

Choose Natural Arthritis Medications
Mike Herman

For individuals who suffer from stiff, sore, or painful joints,
consider natural arthritis medications instead of prescription
medications that can potentially interact with your current
medications or other medical conditions.

Since arthritis affects individuals of all ages, but generally
affects olden men and women, who may not be able to handle
strong medications.

The recent problems associated with the medication known by the
brand name of Vioxx, which was prescribed to millions of
patients with arthritis has caused many sufferers to look
alternative options.

Often, natural arthritis medications are a great deal less
expensive than their pharmaceutical counterparts.

With the soaring prices of prescription drugs, many individuals
are being forced to only take medications that directly affect
their health, such as drugs for blood pressure or heat problems.

When searching for natural arthritis medications , turn to your
primary health care provider.

He or she will be able to inform you of certain treatment
options that will be beneficial to your specific case.

Keep in mind that each arthritic patient has a different case
that can be controlled in a different manner.

Also, it is important you speak with your doctor regarding any
type of medication, natural or not, that you decide to take.

Even natural medications can still interact with your current
prescriptions, other natural drugs you are taking, or any
medical condition.

Most arthritic patients who seek help with their medical issues
find success with natural medications that include glucosamine.

This compound is usually found naturally within joints and acts
as a lubricant to ensure the utmost range of mobility. As the
body ages, this compound is gradually used up without being
replaced.

Taking a supplement of glucosamine in addition to other
treatments like diet and exercise will put the compound back
into joints in order to eliminate pain, reduce swelling, and
restore range of motion.

About the author:
Learn More and Get Natural Remedies for Arthritis that Will
Help You With the Fatigue and Joint Pain Associated with
Arthritis

Bextra and Vioxx — Tips for Arthritis Relief Without Them

Bextra and Vioxx — Tips for Arthritis Relief Without Them
Charles Essmeier

The recent withdrawal of Vioxx and Bextra from the marketplace, due to concerns over unwanted side effects, has many arthritis sufferers concerned. These drugs, which belong to a powerful class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors, are quite effective at fighting the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Unfortunately, they have been linked to increased risk of strokes and heart attacks. Their manufacturers have voluntarily withdrawn them from the market. There are still alternative medications available, such as Celebrex, and traditional medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Aspirin and ibuprofen may not be suitable for everyone, as they can cause stomach discomfort in some people. While a good anti-inflammatory can certainly provide more comfort for arthritis pain, there are some non-medicinal steps that patients can take that may provide some relief from their pain.

  • Get plenty of rest. Your body works best when its well-rested, and its a well-known fact that most Americans fail to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
  • Exercise. Joints and muscles work best when theyre well toned, and that is true for arthritis sufferers as well as the public at large. Not all exercises will be appropriate, however. A patient with arthritic knees will probably not benefit from playing basketball or tennis. Low impact exercise like walking or water aerobics may help, however. Patients with arthritis are advised to discuss exercise options with their physician.
  • Watch your weight. Arthritic joints work best when they arent overly burdened. If you are overweight, you are making a bad situation worse by forcing your joints to work harder than they otherwise might. A loss of just a few pounds could make a huge difference, especially if you suffer from arthritic knees.

    • These tips are certainly not intended to be a substitute for medication, but with a chronic condition like arthritis, every little bit that you can do to ease the stress on your aching joints can provide a bit more relief. About the Author
    Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including Bextra-Info.net, a site devoted to the withdrawn drug Bextra and StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to structured settlements.

    Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: What You Need to Know

    Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: What You Need to Know About Arthritis Pain Medications
    R.L. Fielding

    Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra:What You Need To Know About Arthritis Pain MedicationsRecent controversy about the safety of pain medications for arthritis has left patients and health care professionals alike confused about which medications are safe to use. In fact, a recent survey by the Boston-based Rippe Lifestyle Institute indicated that many people with arthritis are suffering unnecessarily because they have stopped or reduced their use of pain relievers due to confusion about which drugs are considered safe.The survey also showed that now, more than ever, those with arthritis need to understand the benefits and possible side effects associated with all arthritis pain medications. In order to do so, people with arthritis, their caregivers and families must be familiar with recent news about the two types of drugs most commonly used to treat arthritis pain non-selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and another group of NSAIDs known as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitors. COX-2 specific inhibitors vs. Other NSAIDsCOX-2 specific inhibitors are the newest members of the NSAID class of medications. Available by prescription only, they became widely used in recent years to reduce joint pain and swelling. COX-2 specific inhibitors work by selectively blocking, or inhibiting, one of the two enzymes associated with inflammation. Some experts think that this selective inhibition may be one reason for some of the negative side effects currently associated with COX-2 specific inhibitors.Non-selective NSAIDs were developed earlier than COX-2 specific inhibitors and have been widely used to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation for many years. Unlike COX-2 specific inhibitors, non-selective NSAIDs inhibit both major enzymes involved in the inflammatory process, COX-1 and COX-2. The non-selective NSAID category includes a number of different medications that are available in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products.Timeline of EventsTo understand the current state of affairs, it is important to understand the sequence of events. The controversy started when a study published in the October 21, 2004, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine cited the COX-2 specific inhibitor, Vioxx as potentially causing major adverse events, including heart attack and stroke, among patients taking the drug. As a result, Merck (the drugs manufacturer) voluntarily withdrew Vioxx from the market. However, in the months following, the safety of the other available COX-2 specific inhibitors such as Celebrex and Bextra, as well as other arthritis pain medications in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) class, were also called into question.Consequently, in February 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a special Advisory Committee, made up of members of the Arthritis and Drug Safety Advisory Committees, to review the cardiovascular safety of these arthritis pain medications.FDA Directive: Stronger Warning Labels for Some Pain MedicationsOn April 7, 2005, taking into account the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, the FDA issued the following directives: Bextra, a COX-2 specific inhibitor manufactured by Pfizer, was withdrawn from the market.All prescription NSAIDs must revise their labeling to include a black box warning that highlights the potential increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events as well as the potentially life threatening gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding associated with these drugs. Celebrex, the only COX-2 specific inhibitor remaining on the US market, was included in this directive.All OTC NSAIDs (except aspirin) will be required to revise their labeling to include more specific information about the potential for GI and CV side effects, a stronger reminder to follow label instructions, as well as a warning about potential skin reactions.To further evaluate the potential for increased CV risk, the FDA also announced that all NSAIDs must conduct and submit to the FDA a comprehensive review and analysis of pertinent safety data from clinical trials. Aleve (naproxen sodium) is supported by clinical studies conducted to gain approval of naproxen as a prescription product and as OTC that do not provide any evidence of increased risk of cardiovascular events. Treatment Options: What Should Arthritis Patients Know?For some people who suffer from pain associated with arthritis, their symptoms can be managed with exercise, heat/cold therapy, joint protection, assistive devices, weight control, or in some severe cases, surgery. For others, medications are needed to help manage the symptoms associated with arthritis. When taken as directed OTC medications such as Aleve provide a safe and effective way to treat mild to moderate pain of minor arthritis. If patients have questions, they should consult their health care professional about which treatment option is most appropriate.Why Its Important to Treat ArthritisArthritis affects approximately 66 million Americans and is the nations leading cause of disability. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, and they all have different symptoms that vary in severity from person to person. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage that causes the bones to rub together, resulting in pain, loss of movements and stiffness . Arthritis is usually a chronic condition. For more information on Aleve and naproxen, visit the Aleve website at www.aleve.com. For more information on arthritis pain relief, visit www.arthritis.org. About the Author
    R.L. Fielding writes on a number of subjects.

    5 Tips for Arthritis Pain Relief

    5 Tips for Arthritis Pain Relief
    John Mancini

    For millions of people through out the world arthritis pain is
    something that they live with everyday. Most of them are on some
    type of prescription drug regimen to control the pain. However,
    drugs alone are often times not enough to keep the arthritis
    pain at bay. Therefore, there are a growing number of people
    that are seeking alternative arthritis pain relief. If you have
    considered some non-traditional treatment methods, but are
    unsure of how they work, the following tips will help to answer
    your questions.

    1- There are multiple pain medications available for people who
    suffer from arthritis pain. They consist of over the counter
    remedies such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to the stronger
    prescription drugs such as Vioxx and Celebrex. The problem with
    the stronger drugs is that they often come with undesirable or
    even dangerous side effects. While the over the counter
    alternatives are safer, they often need to have other remedies
    used as well to achieve arthritis pain relief.

    2- Exercise is a great option at your disposal when looking for
    natural alternatives for your arthritis pain relief. Walking is
    especially good; it is easy to do and does not put too much
    unneeded pressure on the joints. Other forms of exercises that
    are especially good for arthritis sufferers are balancing types
    of movements, such as Tia Chi and water walking. While these
    activities can help build muscle strength, they may cause some
    discomfort in the joints. If this happens, stop the exercise, if
    the pain persists more than a couple of days speak with your
    physician.

    3- Losing weight is another great way to find some relief from
    your arthritis pain. This is because it has been found that just
    ten extra pounds adds thirty pounds of stress to the knees.
    Therefore, losing extra weight will be very effective for
    arthritis pain relief.

    4- Researching and using any product that will make your daily
    life easier, will also indirectly help ease the pain associated
    with arthritis. For example, using a shower seat will allow you
    to shower without much of the pain that can result from extended
    period of time standing.

    5- Visit your physician when you first feel that you are having
    arthritis pain. Together, the both of you will be able to devise
    a treatment regimen that is right for you and for your
    particular situation. Be sure to keep in contact with your
    doctor, this is the only way to ensure that your treatment
    methods will change as the pain becomes stronger.

    About the author:
    John Mancini has been writing about Rheumatoid Arthritis online
    and offline for a long time. Visit http://arthritis-expert.net
    or     http://arthritis-central.com to read more about matters like
    osteoarthritis and arthritis treatment.