Table 6

Guideline recommendations for medication


AAOS [10]
EULAR [6]
ICSI [9]
Schnitzer/ACR [7]
CCC [8]

Nonselective NSAID
Recommended (A)
Recommended (A)
Recommended if acetaminophen not effective
Recommended
Recommended (A)


Recommended with PPI if gastrointestinal risk factors

Recommended with PPI or misoprol if gastrointestinal risk factors
Recommended (A) with PPI if gastrointestinal risk factors




Use with caution for patients with high risk factors for congestive heart failure or renal problems
Use with caution with elderly patients (C) or patients with renal problems (D)




Not recommended for patients on anticoagulation therapy or preoperative period

Topical NSAID

Recommended (A)


Recommended (A)
Acetaminophen
Recommended (A)
Recommended (A) as initial pain treatment
Recommended as initial pain treatment
Recommended as initial pain treatment
Recommended (A) as initial pain treatment
Coxibs
Recommended (B) if renal or gastrointestinal risk factors
Recommended (A) if gastrointestinal risk factors
Recommended if gastrointestinal risk factors
Recommended for patients not responding to acetaminophen or nonpharmacologic modalities
Recommended (A) if gastrointestinal risk factors, depending on cardiovascular risks




Recommended for patients with severe pain or signs of inflammation
Use with caution with elderly patients (C) or patients with renal problems (D)




Recommended for patients with high gastrointestinal risks.





Use with caution for patients with high risk factors for congestive heart failure or renal problems

Tramadol



Recommended for patients with contraindication to NSAIDs/coxibs or who have not responded to oral therapy

Opioids

Recommended (B) if NSAIDs are contraindicated
Recommended if NSAIDs contraindicated and if nonpharmacologic treatments not effective
Recommended for patients who have not responded to tramadol or have side effects

Capsaicin

Recommended (A)

Recommended as an adjunct treatment to oral therapy, for patients with contraindication to NSAIDs/coxibs or for patients who have not responded to oral therapy

Nonacetylated salicylates



Recommended

Methylsalicylate



Recommended as an adjunct treatment to oral therapy, for patients with contraindication to NSAIDs/coxibs or for patients who have not responded to oral therapy


AAOS, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; ACR, American College of Rheumatology; CCC, Canadian Consensus Conference; EULAR, European League Against Rheumatism; ICSI, Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PPI, proton pump inhibitor.

Poitras et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007 9:R126   doi:10.1186/ar2339