several medications may help fight knee pain and in some cases the inflammation that can cause joint swelling and discomfort. they include: acetaminophen (tylenol). this is the first medication to try as a knee oa (osteoarthritis) treatment say arthritis specialists. that’s because it’s relatively safe compared to other pain relievers although too much can cause liver damage. acetaminophen doesn’t lessen inflammation. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids). these can help relieve pain and fight inflammation that may be adding to your pain. there are prescription nsaids your doctor can prescribe. available over-the-counter ibuprofen (advil motrin ib) ketoprofen (orudis kt) and naproxen (aleve) are among your other options for pain relief. other analgesics. when other pain-relievers fail to control pain your doctor may prescribe stronger analgesics. these include tramadol (ultram) and acetaminophen with codeine (tylenol with codeine).
what oral medications are used to treat osteoarthritis?