Spinal arthritis medications
May 25, 2005
Patients with spinal arthritis have several options for medications to control
the pain. Among other factors, the level of the patient’s pain and
the potential side effects of the medication must be considered. Potential
medications for managing spinal arthritis symptoms include: acetaminophen,
topical analgesics, NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, cortisone injections, and nutritional
supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Read
more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
Effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate for osteoarthritis (Research article)
April 19, 2005
Although there is not yet a proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis, glucosamine
and chondroitin sulfate nutritional supplements may
provide a viable alternative for some patients. An
FDA study on the effects and safety of glucosamine
and chondroitin dietary supplements is currently underway, and many physicians
support their use because of the low incidence of serious side effects
(compared to other medications, such as COX-2 inhibitors and other NSAIDs).
Read more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC
COX-2 inhibitors - Celebrex and Bextra information
October 7, 2003 (Updated March 23, 2005)
Due to the new label warnings for Bextra and recent concerns about COX-2 inhibitor health risks, it’s especially important for patients to follow Celebrex and Bextra usage recommendations and know when to consult a physician. This article clearly explains the known side effects of Celebrex and Bextra as well as the important new guidelines from the FDA. Read more...
By: Donald Frisco, MD
Celebrex - COX-2 inhibitor
October 7, 2003 (Updated March 23, 2005)
Celebrex (chemical name celecoxib) is a COX-2 inhibitor drug commonly prescribed for arthritis and other types of back pain. Celebrex works by reducing inflammation, which often is a component of back pain and neck pain. This article gives specific information about safe use of Celebrex, including dosage, potential side effects and precautions for taking the COX-2 inhibitor. Read more...
By: Donald Frisco, MD
NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs
October 1999 (Updated March
2, 2005)
Because most episodes of back pain have an inflammatory component, anti-inflammatory
medication is often an effective treatment option. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) work like aspirin by limiting the formation of inflammation, but have
fewer gastrointestinal side effects (such as gastritis or ulcers) than aspirin.
One popular type of NSAID is COX-2 inhibitors, often used for arthritis and
back pain. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Understanding COX-2 inhibitor side effects
February 9, 2005
Following the Vioxx recall, the FDA issued a new advisory for physicians prescribing
Celebrex, Bextra and other NSAIDs to their patients. This article summarizes
the recent study findings and FDA recommendations regarding COX-2 inhibitors
and naproxen, and provides several guidelines for safe use of these medications
for arthritis and back pain. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Safe use of COX-2 inhibitors and other NSAIDs
February 9, 2005
In light of new information about health risks associated with COX-2 inhibitors
and some other NSAIDs, treatment options will vary from patient to patient
based on individual risk factors, treatment needs and past experiences taking
NSAIDs. Patients are recommended to meet with a physician to determine the
safest and most effective arthritis and back pain medications. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Vioxx recall and recommendations
January 31, 2005
Since the voluntary recall of Vioxx, a brand of COX-2 inhibitor commonly prescribed
for arthritis and different types of back pain, many patients have concerns
about other brands of COX-2 inhibitors such as Bextra and Celebrex. This article
explains the events that led to the Vioxx recall and outlines the current FDA
recommendations for patients using COX-2 inhibitors and other NSAIDs. Read
more...
By: Gunnar B.J. Andersson, MD, PhD
COX-2 inhibitors - Celebrex
December 1999
COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex represent a significant advancement in non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory treatment for pain because, while they are as efficacious
as older NSAIDs, they have far less risk of side effects (such as blood thinning
or stomach ulceration). Read more...
By: Alan J. Bridges, MD
Arthritis and NSAIDs
December 1999
The most frequently prescribed medications for arthritis pain are NSAIDs and
specifically COX-2 inhibitors. NSAIDs help with arthritis pain because they
are both analgesic (painkillers) and have an anti-inflammatory effect. It is
estimated that 2 to 4 million Americans use NSAIDs (such as COX-2 inhibitors)
on a daily basis. Read more...
By: Alan J. Bridges, MD
Medications for back pain and neck
pain
October 1999
There are multiple over-the-counter (non-prescription) and prescription medications
that can be helpful in relieving back pain and addressing related symptoms
while an episode of low back pain is getting better. This article covers a
wide range of medications, such as NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors and pain relievers. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Are your medications
making you sick? – Spine-health.com Newsletter
While the recent media attention to certain drugs (such as COX-2 inhibitors
and other NSAIDs) has raised a red flag for many patients, the sometimes misleading
or contradictory headlines have also created confusion and unnecessary fear
for many. This newsletter explains some of the potential side effects and risks
of several commonly used drugs for back pain, including COX-2 inhibitors, other
NSAIDs, acetaminophen and anti-depressants. Read
more...
Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from each others’ experiences and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
