Arthritis Treatments and Medications

This is not an exhaustive list of arthritis medications. Always ask your healthcare provider for the best treatment for arthritis based on your health condition and medical history.

Common side effects of arthritis medicine

Taking any medication comes with the potential for side effects. Although side effects vary depending on the exact medication used, here are some common side effects of arthritis medications:

• Upset stomach

• Nausea

• Bruising

• Changes in urination 

• Swelling or weight gain from water retention

• Skin rash

• Kidney problems

In addition to these side effects, arthritis medications may cause more serious side effects that could require medical attention. If you have any vision changes, mood or behavior changes, or severe stomach pain or vomiting, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.   

Arthritis medications can also cause allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face and throat. You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe you’re having an allergic reaction. 

This list of side effects is not comprehensive. The best way to learn more about other side effects you might experience from taking arthritis medications is to talk with your healthcare provider.

Home remedies for arthritis

Many people use natural remedies to treat their arthritis symptoms at home. Here are some of the most popular natural remedies for arthritis.   

Getting enough exercise 

Even though arthritis can be painful and make moving around more difficult, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest that physical activity can help improve joint function, reduce pain, and reduce inflammation. Walking, biking, tai chi, yoga, and swimming are examples of exercises that can reduce your arthritis pain and improve your quality of life with arthritis. Check with a healthcare provider before starting or changing your exercise routine.   

Alternating heat and cold

Heat increases blood flow and relaxes muscles, while cold can help reduce swelling and pain. Experts recommend starting with cold therapy for up to the first three days after an injury or during a flare, then alternating between hot and cold. 

Eating ginger and turmeric

Ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that may help reduce inflammation and pain in the body. Ginger and turmeric can be used as spices, consumed as tea, and even taken as a supplement. 

Frequently asked questions about arthritis

What really causes arthritis?

There are many kinds of arthritis, and each has different causes. Osteoarthritis, the most common arthritis in the U.S., is known as the “wear and tear” or older-age arthritis. Injuries, infections, birth defects, and obesity are some of the causes of osteoarthritis. Many other types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, are autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing pain and inflammation. Other types of arthritis, like gout, are caused by inflammation due to microscopic crystals depositing in the joints. 

What are the early signs of arthritis?

Early signs of arthritis include:

• Joint pain, stiffness, or aches

• Swelling and tenderness of the joints

• Pain that’s worse in the morning or with inactivity (tends to be autoimmune)

• Pain during or after activity (tends to be osteoarthritis)

• A smaller range of motion in the joints 

• Tiredness along with the joint pain

Can arthritis go away on its own?

Many arthritis conditions are chronic and do not go away on their own. They can be managed with medications, healthy lifestyle changes, weight loss, exercise regimens, and physical therapy, bracing, joint injections (cortisone or lubricants), and surgery, but these don’t cure the arthritis itself.  

What is arthritis pain like?

Arthritis typically causes joints to become painful, stiff, and sometimes swollen. But these aren’t the only symptoms that someone with arthritis might feel. Arthritis can also cause joints to feel constantly achy, and many people with arthritis report muscle weakness, muscle aching, and overall feelings of tiredness.   

What is the best treatment for arthritis?

There are many different treatment options for arthritis, and there isn’t one single treatment plan that will work best for everyone. Arthritis is most commonly treated with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and treatments like physical therapy. Your healthcare provider can help you determine what type of treatment will work best for you. 

Can arthritis be cured permanently?

Most arthritis conditions are chronic and have no cure, but symptoms can often be managed. With proper treatment and lifestyle changes, damage to your joints can often be minimized.     

Can you die from arthritis?

Arthritis isn’t a fatal condition. However, some types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can cause or contribute to other medical problems that are life-threatening. Examples of health complications that can be caused by arthritis include heart disease, lung disease, and kidney problems. It’s conditions like these that are potentially fatal, not the arthritis itself.  

What foods make arthritis worse?

Inflammatory foods like refined sugar, alcohol, refined carbs, and fried foods tend to put stress on the body and can worsen arthritis symptoms. Dietary triggers can vary by the type of arthritis. For example, some dietary items can cause or worsen gout arthritis in susceptible people. If you think certain foods are affecting your symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider. 

What is the best vitamin or herb for arthritis?

There isn’t one single vitamin that’s best for arthritis, but supplements like vitamin D, the B vitamins, glucosamine, curcumin, fish oil, ginger, and turmeric may help lower arthritis pain and inflammation. Check with your healthcare provider, though, before trying any vitamin or supplement, to make sure it is appropriate and safe for you.  

What is the latest drug for arthritis?

Healthcare providers and researchers are always working to develop new drugs that help treat arthritis. Janus kinase inhibitors (JAK inhibitors) are an example of newer drugs that can help treat rheumatoid arthritis by playing a role in how the immune system functions.    

What is the best over-the-counter medication for arthritis?

There isn’t one single over-the-counter medication that’s best for arthritis, but many healthcare providers recommend Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain, or NSAIDs like Advil (ibuprofen), aspirin, or Aleve (naproxen) for pain and inflammation. 

What is prescribed for arthritis? 

Healthcare providers prescribe different medications for arthritis depending on the individual and their unique symptoms. Types of medications commonly prescribed for arthritis include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Corticosteroids (sometimes called cortisone or steroids)

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)   

Sources

• Arthritis, Cleveland Clinic (2023)

• Arthritis, MedlinePlus (2025)

• Exercise can ease rheumatoid arthritis pain, Harvard Health (2024)

• Exercise: Rx for overcoming osteoarthritis, Harvard Health (2019)

• Arthritis basics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024)

• Rheumatoid arthritis, Cedars Sinai (2026)

• Arthritis, Hospital for Special Surgery (2026)

• Natural relief for arthritis pain, Arthritis Foundation (2023)