Topical pain medications are available today for arthritis pain relief in the form of creams, gels, lotions or patches. It is easy to get creams or pills over-the-counter at the drugstore, and these medications just give temporary relief from arthritis pain. The right kind of arthritis medication cannot be substituted by creams and gels. If you are still relying on topical preparation, it is an indication that your prescribed medication is not right, or your arthritis is worsening.

Creams And Gels

If you are using creams or gels for arthritis pain relief, they should not be taken on a long-term basis. They are generally quite safe and there are hardly any side effects. Sometimes there may be some burning or stinging after application of the cream or gel. Also, there may be a strong medicinal odor in some of the products. If you have an allergy to aspirin or are taking blood thinners, then products containing salicylates should be avoided.

It is important for you to follow the instructions on the product packaging carefully. If you are using a topical pain medication for your arthritis pain relief, you should be careful not to let it come in contact with your eyes. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the product. Pain relievers should not be used on broken or irritated skin, and never combine it with a heating pad or a bandage.

Drugs

For arthritis pain relief there are several drugs which are available in the market, and acetaminophen is a quick pain reliever for arthritis patients, and is sold under brand names like Tylenol and Datril. But if too much of them are taken, they can cause serious damage to the liver. All drugs should be consumed with care and patients should be warned earlier of any misuse.

Dangers

If the body consumes more acetaminophen than recommended on the label, large quantities of harmful metabolites are made in the body, and cannot be eliminated from there. In this way the liver can be damaged. The patient has symptoms similar to jaundice, like abnormally yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. It may develop into a serious liver disease and lead to mental confusion, coma and death.

Other Risks

Drugs used for arthritis pain relief may be especially harmful for people who consume alcohol regularly, particularly if the medication for pain relief is high. Children and infants should also be given the correct formula; hence it is important to read drug labels carefully before administering any drugs to children.

People often take anti-inflammatory drugs for joint pain relief. Aspirin is commonly taken as a nonsteroidal drug and could lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. If these products are taken intermittently the risk of bleeding is low, but if the products are taken regularly or daily, there is a bigger risk.

The new labeling on the drugs informs the customers about the risk of liver toxicity, the risk of bleeding and other factors which increase the risks. Make sure that you take the proper dose by consulting a doctor for it.