4) Analgesics and painkillers
Analgesics and painkillers are occasionally used to ease pain and help overcome periods of rheumatoid flare-up. Paracetamol (novaldol – panadol) is considered a drug of choice to relieve mild to moderate rheumatoid pain because it acts centrally with no peripheral action. Unfortunately, paracetamol is hepatotoxic and may cause liver impairment so it is contraindicated to patients with liver diseases. Corticosteroids are potent analgesics therefore they are used to relieve the severe pain of acute rheumatoid. Cortisone and other forms of corticosteroids should be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider because they may cause weight gain and increase the risks of infections.
