Several medications may help fight knee pain, and, in some cases, the inflammation that can cause joint swelling and discomfort. They include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol). This is the first medication to try as a knee OA (osteoarthritis) treatment, say arthritis specialists. That’s because it’s relatively safe compared to other pain relievers, although too much can cause liver damage. Acetaminophen doesn’t lessen inflammation.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These can help relieve pain and fight inflammation that may be adding to your pain. There are prescription NSAIDs your doctor can prescribe. Available over-the-counter, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), ketoprofen (Orudis KT) and naproxen (Aleve) are among your other options for pain relief.
- Other analgesics. When other pain-relievers fail to control pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger analgesics. These include tramadol (Ultram) and acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol with codeine).
This answer should not be considered medical advice...
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