If you have been advised not to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a number of alternative treatments can be used.
Alternatives for some of the most common conditions treated with NSAIDs are listed below.
Pain
If you need medication to treat pain, paracetamol can be used in almost all cases. An exception to this would be in cases of severe liver disease because paracetamol will damage the liver.
There are also a number of non-drug-based treatments for pain, such as:
- physiotherapy
- acupuncture
- talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, which are designed to help you cope better with pain
Gout
If you have gout, a medication called colchicine is an effective alternative to using an NSAID.
Osteoarthritis
Alternative treatments for osteoarthritis include:
- codeine – a mild opiate-based painkiller
- capsaicin cream – which helps block the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain
- corticosteroid injections – these help to reduce the symptoms of pain and swelling
- surgery – such as a hip replacement or knee replacement
Rheumatoid arthritis
Alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis include:
- disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – a type of medication that can help to ease symptoms and slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis
- corticosteroids
Alternatives to NSAIDs
