There are a number of medications that are good for arthritis pain. Talk with your doctor before starting any of them. Common over-the-counter medications are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Prescription medications include oxycodone and hydrocodone. Another option is a corticosteroid injection at the site of your joint pain. This is normally only given if the pain is very severe.
Some herbs and supplements (capsaicin, flaxseed, ginger, ginkgo, and turmeric) are said to be good for arthritis. But the most popular ones for pain relief are chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. Both are made of compounds found in cartilage. They may help your body regenerate the cartilage on your joints, but evidence remains sketchy.
Studies have shown that they may provide modest pain relief and could be tried if you are unable to tolerate other pain medications. The American College of Rheumatology doesn’t currently recommend the use of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine.