Suggest Medication For Arthritis

Posted on Thu, 2 Mar 2017

Question: I was wondering if you can tell me the best arthritis over the counter medication that for knees.

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Flex-a-min can be found with other names too.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your question.
I read it carefully and I understand your concern.

Flex-a-min is Chondroitine-glucosamine with vit D3 and can be found in other names, other then that of Flex-a-min. It is a good medicine which can be used for prevention of worsening of arthritis.

What can be used for treatment is Advil (Ibuprofen 400mg) which can be used every 8 hours, with food.
Also, you can use analgesic cream (depending on what you can find available where you live) and apply it locally 3-4 times/day.

If you are overweight, would help to lose weight.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Walk and be active.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer.

Regards,
Dr.Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (20 hours later)

i cannot take any advil, asprine type of meds. Stomach issues. I'm not over weight. Can you recommend another product? Flex-a-min had some proprietary ingredients.

thanks,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (26 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Acetaminophen 500-1000mg every 4-6 hours.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

The only medicine which relieves the pain in arthritis without causing stomach problems is Acetaminophen 500-1000mg every 4-6 hours.

The next one, which causes less problems then all the others, but still you have to be careful and take it after food is Naproxen 500mg 2 times/day.

The others all cause stomach problems or are medicines which need a prescription.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (6 days later)

hi, I really wanted to get a recommendation of a good over the counter supplement to replace Flex.A.Min. Never got one.

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Flex-a-min is the brand name. Depends on what the local pharmacy has.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Flex-A-min it is a brand name for a tablet that contains Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Bioflavonoids and Vit D. Each of these are supplements so can not be substituted. For example, it is not possible to substitute Vit D with another vitamin, because they would be different vitamins with different functions.
Having said that, you can substitute Flex-a-min with all the over the counter supplements that has the same components (or close to that).
And I can give you many names, if it is that that you are asking for, and it will be enough that those have the same components mentioned above. But that will not be helpful to you because your local pharmacy/local shop where you buy this supplements, may not have any of those. Let me give some names- Puitan's pride joint soother, plus Vit D 2000 UI; TRIPLE STRENGTH FORMULA WITH TURMERIC VitaBreeze (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Turmeric supplement); Zenesis (1500mg Glucosamine Sulfate, 1200mg Chondroitin, and 2000mg MSM); ect.

There are many available.
But again, if I was your caring doctor, I would recommend that you read again the previous answer and see if it is helpful. Or, the best approach is to go to the local shop where you buy the over the counter medicine and ask them if they have supplements that contain Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin, MSM and Vit D. Any one that they have would be ok. The excess doses of medicine will be secreted by the body and therefor not used.

I hope this has clarified you a bit more.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad