Traditional treatment for joint pain and inflammation usually includes the use of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Oral NSAID medication, however, can cause adverse side effects. When ordering oral NSAIDs, prescribers must also consider their compatibility with other medications as well as disease states.  

According to a recent study conducted by Martin Underwood, MD, of Queen Mary University of London, the use of topical NSAIDs was found to be as effective as oral NSAID treatment for reducing knee pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis after a 12 month treatment period.   

It was noted,"Treatment for pain is only effective if it is accepted and used by the patient." The study found that patients preferred topical NSAIDs for their knee pain believing that there would be less adverse side effects associated with this treatment.  

Pharmacy Innovations specializes in custom compounding for individualized patient care.  We offer pain management services and work in partnership with prescribers and patients to provide high quality compounded medications that meet the unique needs of your patients.

 Commonly Prescribed Agents Used in Treating Pain 

In an article found in IJPC Journal Vol. 6 No. 1, Marty Jones, BS Pharm,  discusses the many medications used for pain relief among which are opioids, NSAIDS, and steroids. The following table classifies some of these medications by their mode of  action.

Classification         Drug or Drug Class  

NMDA antagonist - Ketamine, Detromethorphan

Glutamate antagonist - Gabapentin

a-2 agonist - Clonidine

Sympatholytic - Amitriptyline

GABA B agonists - Baclofen

Mu agonists - Loperamide, Morphine 

TNF-1a antagonist - Pentoxifylline

Skeletal-muscle Relaxer - Guaifenesin

L-Type calcium  channel blocker - Nifedipine

NMDA sodium channel blocker - Carbamazepine

Anesthetics - Lidocaine, Tetracaine, Bupivacaine 

Pharmacy Innovations is PCAB accredited giving you and your patients the confidence that each medication is compounded under strict guidelines assuring the highest quality prescription.