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Medicines used for pain, inflammation, or diagnosed underlying conditions—organized by purpose, never rank.
Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in several joint-related conditions to address pain and inflammation. They do not all have the same dosing, interactions, or risk profile, and they are not disease-modifying therapy for inflammatory arthritis.
Read source profileMethotrexate is a prescription disease-modifying antirheumatic drug used for diagnosed conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and certain other inflammatory diseases. It is not a general pain medicine for unexplained joint pain.
Read source profileTumor necrosis factor inhibitors are biologic medicines used in selected diagnosed inflammatory diseases. They are not stronger versions of an ordinary pain reliever and are prescribed within a condition-specific plan.
Read source profileJanus kinase inhibitors are targeted prescription medicines used for certain inflammatory conditions. Their place in treatment, approved uses, and warnings are product-specific and require professional evaluation.
Read source profileDuloxetine is a prescription medicine with multiple approved uses. It may appear in conversations about certain chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions, but it is not a general answer for every cause of joint pain.
Read source profileOral corticosteroids may be used in a variety of inflammatory conditions. Their role, duration, and risk tradeoffs differ from local injections and from disease-modifying medicines.
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