Every medication has a side effects and adverse effects. In this case, treatment choices fall into four categories: pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, surgical and complementary (Sinuasas, 2012). In this patient’s situation, pharmacological treatment should begin with acetaminophen and gradually move up to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAID therapy is recommended as a first line therapy for minimum to mild arthritis. However, since the patient indicates GI distress to NSAID medication (Naprosyn), other NSAIDS medications may be utilized. According to Sinusas, “acetaminophen should be used as first-line therapy for mild osteoarthritis; NSAIDs as a class are superior to acetaminophen for treating osteoarthritis and patients taking NSAIDs should be cautioned about adverse effects, which may include gastrointestinal bleeding, renal dysfunction, and blood pressure elevation” (2012, p. …show more content…
Individuals who are intolerance to NSAIDS or cannot take the medications because of adverse effects may be prescribed opioid medications. These pharmacological treatments are effective in treating and managing the symptoms of Bouchard’s and Heberden’s nodes but due to potential drug abuse, limitations should be placed on opioid medications. Opioids should be prescribed at a low dosage and individuals on opioids should be monitored carefully to evaluate for potential dependence. Side effects for Opioids may cause chronic constipation and risk for falls for the elderly. Other pharmacologic treatments include meloxicam, ibuprofen, oxaprozin and sulindac. In addition, “cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex), have an improved safety profile for gastrointestinal adverse effects, but are costly and confer an increased cardiovascular risk” (Sinuasas, 2012, p.