Rub on Relief for OA Patients

Tag : diclofenac sodium
Written by Hager, Angela
June 2008  If you have arthritis in just one or two joints, youmay not need to expose yourself to the risks of oral non-steroidalanti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDSs)  such as ulcers; upsetstomachs; or potential heart, kidney or live problems  in order toachieve some relief, According to a recent article published in theMay/June issue of Arthritis Today, rubbing an NSAID on your skin isnow possible.
The FDA recently approved Voltaren Gel as the first prescriptionskin gel to treat osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The gel containsdiclofenac sodium, an NSAID that is the main ingredient in Voltarenpills. In studies that led to the gels approval, pain levels fellby 46 percent among people with hand OA after they applied the gelfor six weeks. In a 12-week study of people with knee OA, there wasa 51-percent reduction in pain. Osteoarthritis is the most commonform of arthritis. In OA, there are changes in the lining,cartilage, bone and fluid of your joints. These changes can lead topain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty using joints.
According to Dr. Roy Altman, a professor of medicine in thedivision of rheumatology and immunology at the University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles (UCLA), a prescription topical NSAID isgreat news for select people with arthritis. The new Voltaren Gelgives patients the ability to apply something topically, which willnot give significant blood levels, but will penetrate the skin andhelp reduce pain, said Altman. The gel also works well when itcomes to joints that are closer to the surface, such as the hands,knees, elbows and ankles.
People with arthritis in several affected joints should stick withtaking a pill as the gel takes about a week to work and the pill isquicker. The gel should also not be used in combination with oralNSAIDs or aspirin because of the potential for adverse effects.When used alone, the only real side effects of the topical productsare skin reactions where they are applied.
About Arthritis Arthritis is the nations most common cause ofdisability with a nationwide economic impact of more than $128billion annually. The condition strikes all ages and knows noracial or ethnic boundaries. 46 million people have been doctordiagnosed and 300,000 children are affected. -The Cherry Creek News-