Archive for the ‘Drugs’ Category
Clotting Problems
NSAID use can interfere with the clotting of blood. This series of blog posts is about the possible side effects associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat knee osteoarthritis.
If the efficiency of your body’s ability to clot blood is affected you may bruise easily or have trouble stopping bleeding if you are cut or lacerated.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery concluded that neoprene knee sleeves can reduce pain and increase function in a knee with osteoarthritis more effectively than NSAIDs.
Fluid Retention
Observable swelling from fluid retention in the tissues of your body is called edema. Edema is a possible side effect from using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the osteoarthritis in your knee. The swelling is most common in the feet and ankles.
Swollen ankles can also be a symptom of heart, kidney, and respiratory problems. Edema can be the sign of a serious medical condition. Since NSAID use can also result in serious heart, kidney, and respiratory problems, consult your physician immediately is your ankles swell unexpectedly.
Changes in Vision
Using NSAIDs to treat the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee can lead to changes in your vision. Some of the more commonly reported vision problems are:
- Double Vision
- Color Perception Irregularities
- Night Blindness
- Decreased Vision
- Eye Pain
- Eye Irritation
- Blindness
That’s an awful lot to worry about. Why not try a joint health supplement? The worst side-effect of Cosamin DS is gas.
Tinnitus
Knee osteoarthritis is often treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs can have some potentially serious side effects. Tinnitus is one of those possible side effects.
Tinnitus – this is not a disease but an aural condition. It is characterized by noises in your head when everything is quiet. Tinnitus is usually worse at night or when in very quiet places. The noises can occur in one or both ears and can sound like buzzing whistling, ringing, or hissing.
Itching
Allergic Reactions are a known and well-documented side effect associated with NSAIDs used to treat OA of the knee. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often recommended and prescribed to reduce the pain and swelling associated with knee osteoarthritis. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- Rash
- Itching
- Swelling
- Dizziness
- Shortness of Breath
Your physician should be contacted immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms. If you have trouble breathing call 911.
- Fatigue
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs are often used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. However these medications are associated with a host of side effects. This series of blog posts examines these side effects.
NSAID use can lead to fatigue and drowsiness. Fatigue is different than drowsiness. Drowsiness is the need to sleep. Fatigue is a lack of energy and/or motivation. This encompasses both physical and mental conditions. It should be left up to a physician to distinguish between the two.
Upset Stomach
NSAID’s are commonly used to treat knee osteoarthritis. However these medications have side effects. Gastrointestinal problems rank as a leading problem associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Symptoms can include but are mot limited to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased Appetite
- Heartburn
- Ulcers
- Stomach Ache
Notify your doctor if you experience any of these side effects. Also ask about knee braces to treat your osteoarthritis of the knee. These knee braces are called unloader knee braces, off-loading knee braces, or bio-mechanical knee braces. Knee braces don’t cause ulcers.
NSAID Precautions
Patients that take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat the pain and swelling associated with their osteoarthritis of the knee should take certain precautions.
NSAIDs are known to have side effects. To limit the damage to your stomach you should take certain steps to protect yourself.
1. Lower the Dose – stomach problems can be reduced by taking smaller doses.
2. Avoid Alcohol – this will decrease the chance of internal bleeding.
3. Take NSAIDs with Food – Help protect the lining of your stomach.
Always check with your physician before taking any medication.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs that relieve pain and reduce fever. In higher doses these drugs can have anti-inflammatory effects.
The most common members of this drug group are ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
NSAIDs are often times indicated for treating chronic and acute conditions that present with inflammation and pain. They are commonly prescribed and recommended as a treatment option for knee osteoarthritis.
This series of blog posts is about the side effects associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Cox II Inhibitor
This blog post is one in a series of articles about the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Full Guideline for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis.
Recommendation 14 – The AAOS suggests that patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee and an increased gastrointestinal risk (patients older than 60), multiple medical conditions, peptic ulcer disease, GI bleeding, concurrent corticosteroid and/or concomitant (at the same time) use of anticoagulants receive one of the following for pain relief:
- Acetaminophen
- Topical non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- nonselective oral NSAIDs plus gastro-protective agent
- Cyclooxygenase (Cox II inhibitors)
The AAOS reports that each of these treatment options for osteoarthritis of the knee has a reduced risk of GI complications when compared to the isolated use of oral NSAIDs. The evidence does not say that one treatment options is more advantageous than another.