Arthritis, a group of conditions that causes inflammation of the joints resulting in pain and impairment of movement, is a common disease that affects over 46 million Americans according to the Arthritis Foundation. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are chronic conditions that can last a life-time and others, such as bursitis, may be short-term. There are a variety of medications that can help to relieve symptoms of arthritis however many of them also cause unwanted side effects.
Stomach Irritation
Because oral medications must pass through the digestive system, they often irritate the lining of the stomach or intestines which can result in a variety of problems including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
Narcotic medications, also known as opiates, may be taken to relieve moderate to severe pain caused by arthritis. These medications are known to cause nausea, vomiting and constipation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs, can cause stomach upset and ulcers, which are open sores found on the lining of the stomach or in the small intestine. NSAIDs may also cause heartburn, a condition caused by stomach acid rising up into the esophagus resulting in irritation and pain.
Methotrexate, a chemotherapy medication, belongs to a class of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDs not only treat the symptoms of RA but can also alter the course of the disease by slowing down the damage caused to the joints and bones. Methotrexate is well tolerated, which is why it is a commonly prescribed medication, but it can cause mouth sores and stomach upset.
Lightheadedness
The most commonly taken non-narcotic analgesic used to relieve the pain caused by arthritis is acetaminophen. Although it is an over-the-counter medication, acetaminophen may cause side effects including lightheadedness.
Skin Rash
There are several medications used to treat RA that can cause a skin rash. These include sulfasalazine and leflunomide, both DMARD medications as well as NSAIDs.
Heart Complications
NSAIDs available as over-the-counter medications include ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. Prescription strength NSAIDs are cox-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib. These medications all work by blocking specific enzymes and proteins made by the body resulting in a reduction in inflammation.
NSAIDs can cause a variety of side effects, including increasing blood pressure, according to the Harvard Medical School. These medications can contribute to serious heart complications by interfering with the ability of the blood vessels to relax and by stimulating the growth of smooth muscle cells within arteries resulting in atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries).
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