Pros and Cons of over-the-counter arthritis medications.

When it comes to arthritis pain and discomfort, many patients want relief and they want it now. For many, the pain is unbearable and they are willing to try just about any over-the-counter product or natural remedy they can get their hands on, but are they your best option?

Arthritis pain relief comes in many different forms. Many turn to pain pills like Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Bayer, or their generic counterparts. Then there are arthritis creams. These creams usually contain the active ingredient capsaicin.

You can find out more about capsaicin here:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4181/capsaicin-top/details

Lastly, there are heating pads and patches. Heat has long been known to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis. For at-home care, a microwavable or electric heating pad work great. For on the go or in the car, onetime use heating patches are very convenient.

Over-the-counter products are easy to purchase without a prescription and they are available just about anywhere. Heating pads, arthritis creams, and pain medications are available for sale both online and locally. In terms of local shopping, your options include health food stores, department stores, drug stores, and supermarkets.

Most over-the-counter products provide quick relief. With the exception of Tylenol Arthritis, which is designed to provide both fast and long-lasting pain relief, it can take up to fifteen minutes for the medicine to kick in. When in pain, this may seem like a lifetime, but it is actually very quick. For the quickest relief, opt for arthritis creams. Many report pain relief as soon as the cream touches their skin!

While there are many good reasons why someone may opt for over-the-counter products there are some downsides as well.

For instance, their costs can add up overtime. The more you use a product, the more you need to buy. In terms of pain reliever, look for large packages, as they tend to cost less. If possible, buy in bulk. As for the heating patches and pouches, the patches are ideal for on the go travel, but don’t use them at home. Instead, opt for a heating pad that you can continue to reuse. In the end, you get a better value for your money.

You can also help lower the cost of over-the-counter products by shopping at discount retailers and clubs like Sam’s and Costco. Coupons and sales can also lessen the costs.

Just keep in mind that while many over-the-counter products provide fast acting arthritis pain relief it is often a short-term fix. This is nice, but remember that relief will not be long-lived. As soon as your medication wears off or when your heating pad loses heat, your pain will start to return.

For the ultimate long-term relief of arthritis pain, swelling, and stiffness, do more than just rely on over-the-counter products. Make sure you visit your physician for a proper diagnosis and they can often prescribe medication that when taken overtime will provide long-lasting relief. If these prove successful for your body, you may not need over-the-counter products daily only when pain flares up.