Arthritis drugs used by millions are ‘tainted’ by hidden ingredients

• FDA discovered at least 22 arthritis drugs contain hidden ingredients
• These ingredients may interact with other medications or cause side effects
• READ MORE: Brushing teeth properly helps reduce the risk of arthritis later in life

Arthritis drugs used by a quarter of US adults may contain harmful ingredients that are not printed on the label, health officials warn.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spent 10 years evaluating ingredients in over-the-counter pain and arthritis medications and found that 22 of these drugs purportedly contained active ingredients. such as corticosteroids and muscle relaxants.

The agency warns that taking these ingredients and not labeling them could put the 58 million Americans with arthritis at risk of serious health problems, such as kidney and liver problems. It can also be dangerous for people who have taken medications containing those ingredients.

“It is clear from the results of our decades of testing that retailers and distributors, including online marketplaces, do not effectively prevent these types of products from causing harm,” the FDA wrote. This harm is sold to consumers.

‘The FDA cannot test all products on the market that contain potentially harmful ingredients. Enforcement actions and consumer advisories for tainted products cover only a small fraction of tainted over-the-counter products on the market.’

‘Even if a product is not on this list, consumers should still exercise caution before using these types of pain and arthritis products.’

Many of the affected products were advertised and sold in retail stores and online marketplaces such as Etsy and Amazon. They may contain undisclosed ingredients that fall under the category of NSAIDs, steroids and muscle relaxants.

NSAIDs are medications used to reduce inflammation and treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, headaches, and muscle injuries. Common examples that may be hidden in arthritis medications include ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, piroxicam, and ketorolac.

The FDA warns that these drugs can interact with other drugs and increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as heart problems and liver damage. In addition, the agency also warns pregnant women to avoid taking NSAIDs during the first half of pregnancy.

Corticosteroids are also anti-inflammatory drugs that can treat severe arthritis and other types of pain. Dexamethasone and prednisone are two of the most common examples. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), when taken for long periods of time or in high doses, they can lead to extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Unlike anabolic steroids, which are synthetic variations of male sex hormones that promote muscle growth, corticosteroids are used to treat health conditions such as allergies, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and erectile dysfunction. autoimmune disorder.

Muscle relaxants treat muscle pain and swelling, as well as injuries such as lower back pain. These can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, and low blood pressure.

Arthritis is swelling or pain in one or more joints. There are more than 100 types of diseases and the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The most common symptoms are pain, redness, warmth, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and joint swelling. Federal data shows that 25 million adults limit daily activities due to arthritis symptoms, and that number is expected to increase by 2040.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this condition affects 24% of adults in the United States, or about 54 million people. This condition is most common in adults over 65 years old. The CDC estimates that half of U.S. adults over age 65 have the disease, while nearly one-third of people between the ages of 45 and 65 have been diagnosed.

Treatment includes OTC medications, prescription medications, and management. When taken in high doses, they can cause drowsiness and dizziness. They have also been shown to lower blood pressure, which can lead to weakness, fainting, blurred vision and nausea.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form, is a degenerative disease that breaks down joint tissue over time. Another common type, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the body’s joints, leading to swelling and inflammation. RA can also cause heart, lung, and eye problems.

FDA encourages consumers to report side effects to its MedWatch reporting program.