Shoulder Osteoarthritis (Omarthrosis): Drug Therapy

Therapy goals

  • Pain relief
  • Improvement of mobility
  • Improving the quality of life
  • Delay the progression of osteoarthritis

Therapy recommendations

Depending on the severity of the disease and individual problems, the following medications can be used:

  • Analgesics (painkillers)
    • Non-acid analgesics
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; non steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs).
    • Selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibe).
    • Opioid analgesics
  • Glucocorticoids as ointments, intraarticular/into the joint, systemically if necessary.
  • Chondroprotectants (cartilage protectants).
  • Other medicines
  • See also under “Other therapy“.