From the Guidelines
Medications for osteoarthritis starting with the letter M include meloxicam, methocarbamol, methotrexate, methylprednisolone, and morphine, with meloxicam being a preferred initial option due to its efficacy in reducing pain and inflammation 1. These medications work through different mechanisms, including:
- NSAIDs like meloxicam, which reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis
- Muscle relaxants like methocarbamol, which reduce muscle tension
- Corticosteroids like methylprednisolone, which suppress immune response and inflammation
- Opioids like morphine, which block pain signals in the central nervous system Key considerations for these medications include:
- Meloxicam is typically prescribed at 7.5-15 mg once daily
- Methocarbamol is often used at 1500 mg four times daily initially, then reduced to 1000 mg four times daily
- Methotrexate may be prescribed at low doses (7.5-20 mg weekly) for osteoarthritis with inflammatory components, but its use is primarily for inflammatory arthritis 1
- Methylprednisolone is available as oral tablets or injections directly into affected joints for short-term relief from severe inflammation
- Morphine and other morphine-based medications are reserved for severe osteoarthritis pain that doesn't respond to other treatments, typically starting at 15-30 mg every 4 hours as needed, with significant risks of dependence and side effects 1 It's essential to consider the individual's risk factors, including age, and choose the agent and dose accordingly, taking into account potential gastrointestinal, liver, and cardiorenal toxicity.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Medications for Osteoarthritis Starting with M
- Meloxicam: a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat osteoarthritis, as discussed in 2, 3, 4
- Methotrexate: a medication explored for its potential in treating osteoarthritis, with studies showing its efficacy in reducing symptoms such as stiffness and pain, as mentioned in 5
- Methylprednisolone: a corticosteroid that has been investigated for its use in treating hand osteoarthritis, with a study indicating its potential to reduce pain and improve hand function, as reported in 6
Key Findings
- Meloxicam has been shown to be effective in treating osteoarthritis, with a preferential COX-2 activity that may reduce gastrointestinal toxicity, as noted in 2
- Methotrexate has been found to significantly reduce knee and hand stiffness in patients with osteoarthritis, as discussed in 5
- Methylprednisolone has been found to have a good safety profile and potential to reduce pain and improve hand function in patients with hand osteoarthritis, as mentioned in 6