Arthritis treatment medicines

by Nathan Wei, MD, FACP, FACR

Nathan Wei is a board-certified rheumatologist and author of the Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit. It's available exclusively at this website... not available in stores.

Click here: Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit

Most arthritis sufferers eventually have to take some type of medication. Often, they will be on more than one medicine because of other health problems. This page talks about important things a patient can do to ensure safety.

• Keep a list of medicines you are taking (Rx, OTC, herbals)
• Bring list and your medications to show the doctor
• Describe bad medication reactions you have had in the past
• Understand what your medications are for and their effects
• Understand how to talk them (e.g., how many, how often, what to do if a dose is missed)
• Write down how to take your medications
• Assure you have enough medications to last to next visit
• Understand what bad reactions might occur from your medications and when to call the doctor
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or express concerns

• Get written information about your medications
• Ask the pharmacist to explain how to take the medication
• Ask about the best way to measure liquid medications
• Keep one pill from your last Rx and compare it to your refill – check with pharmacist if they do not match
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or express concerns

• Keep a list of medicines you are taking (Rx, OTC, herbals)
• Bring list and your medications to show the doctor
• Describe bad medication reactions you have had in the past
• Make sure that the doctor/nurse can see your ID bracelet when they visit you
• Ask to see your medication before it is given and ask what it is for
• Understand what bad reactions might occur from your medications and when to call the doctor/nurse
• Do not be afraid to ask questions or express concerns

Teaching Patients to be Safe at Home

• Ask family members to help you remember to take your medications
• Don’t run out of your regular medications
• Read the Rx label each time you take your medication
• Don’t take medications in darkness
• Follow the doctor’s directions – if not, tell the doctor why you are taking them differently
• Store medications out of reach of children – do not refer to medications as “candy”
• Avoid using someone else’s prescription medication
• Call your doctor if you think you are having a bad reaction to your medication

For an in depth discussion of the various types of medicines used for arthritis, please go to the other pages on this site.

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