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Recent news reports about the risks of several popular pain medications have left many of the 20 million Americans living with osteoarthritis (OA) wondering what their options are.
Two popular COX-2 inhibitors, rofecoxib (Vioxx®) and valdecoxib (Bextra®), have been withdrawn from the marketplace. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now requiring that warning labels for some prescription products highlight the potential for serious adverse cardiovascular events, and include, for the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class, the risk for serious and often life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. The FDA is also reviewing data for over-the-counter NSAIDs and is considering revising the labeling to include more specific information about potential cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks.
As a result, according to Dr. Kenneth D. Brandt, Professor of Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine, many OA sufferers and their doctors are considering different options to treat OA pain.
A study presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International meeting in December 2004 showed that the over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen, the active ingredient found in TYLENOL®, is a safe and effective treatment option, when used as directed, for patients suffering from the pain of osteoarthritis.
These findings reinforce the recommendations of the American College of Rheumatology* that acetaminophen be used as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis pain. Acetaminophen is not an NSAID and therefore is unlikely to cause the gastric irritation that can sometimes occur with NSAIDs such as aspirin, naproxen sodium, and even ibuprofen.
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which cartilage breaks down. This breakdown causes bones to rub against adjoining bones resulting in pain and loss of movement in the affected joints. The disease can occur in almost any joint in the body and is thought to affect about 20 million Americans-most of whom are over age 60.
"Today, more than ever, people with osteoarthritis are seeking solid, credible information they can rely on when it comes to managing the everyday aches and pain that comes with living with OA," Dr. Brandt says. "My patients are relieved when I tell them that by taking a medication they already know and trust, they can find relief from their OA pain."
Dr. Brandt says people with osteoarthritis can work with their doctors to develop strategies for improving their joint mobility. People can also benefit from simple lifestyle changes including exercising, getting plenty of rest, and maintaining a healthy body weight.
This year, the TYLENOL® brand celebrates its 50th anniversary. Doctors and consumers alike have relied on TYLENOL® to manage mild-to-moderate pain and fever.
For more information on osteoarthritis and treatment options, please visit www.StraightTalkOnPain.com. -NU |
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