Analgesic Anti-inflammatory Agents

Therapeutic target

  • Relief of symptoms

Therapy recommendations

  • For non-active osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint (acromioclavicular joint): analgesic/pain reliever acetaminophen (best tolerated).
  • In activated osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint (abraded cartilage or bone inflamed): non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g., selective COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., etoricoxib) or diclofenac [no long-term therapy!].
  • If necessary, glucocorticoids; the effect of intra-articular (“into the joint cavity”) injection is not ensured, but can be administered in case of otherwise uncontrollable inflammation.

General notes

  • Intravenous administration (administration) does not provide advantages over oral administration.
  • Continuous therapy should not be used.
  • Different NSAIDs should not be combined!
  • Alternative therapy for high cardiovascular/gastrointestinal risk → conventional NSAIDs + low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) + proton pump inhibitors (PPI; acid blockers) (recommendation of the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association).