Taking an experimental drug called tanezumab along with a common pain medicine can help osteoarthritis\u00a0symptoms, a study suggests. However, the chance of side effects from this combined treatment seems to outweigh\u00a0the benefits.<\/p>\n
INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n Osteoarthritis is the most common condition affecting the joints. Many people get osteoarthritis in their knees\u00a0or hips, which makes them stiff and painful. Some people end up having surgery to replace the affected joint,\u00a0but many people take medicines to help with their symptoms. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs\u00a0(NSAIDs), such as diclofenac or naproxen, are a common choice.<\/p>\n WHAT DID THE RESEARCHERS HOPE TO FIND?<\/strong><\/p>\n In the new study, researchers wanted to find out whether adding an experimental pain medicine called tanezumab\u00a0to an NSAID \u2013 diclofenac \u2013 might help. Tanezumab is given as an injection, while diclofenac is a tablet.<\/p>\n WHO WAS STUDIED?<\/strong><\/p>\n The study included 604 people with osteoarthritis in their knee or hip who still had moderate to severe pain\u00a0while taking diclofenac.<\/p>\n HOW WAS THE STUDY CONDUCTED?<\/strong><\/p>\n The study participants were randomly chosen to have tanezumab injections or dummy (placebo) injections\u00a0every eight weeks. Everyone in the study continued to take diclofenac.\u00a0After 16 weeks, the researchers looked at the people\u2019s scores on standard questionnaires measuring their\u00a0pain, what they could do physically, and how much their osteoarthritis affected them overall. They compared\u00a0these scores with those from the start of the study, to see whether people taking tanezumab plus diclofenac\u00a0improved more than those taking diclofenac alone.<\/p>\n They also looked at what side effects people got. The researchers were particularly interested in whether\u00a0people taking tanezumab plus diclofenac were more likely to get serious joint problems since earlier reports\u00a0had linked tanezumab to a condition called osteonecrosis, which can cause severe joint damage requiring the WHAT DOES THE NEW STUDY SAY?<\/strong><\/p>\n People taking tanezumab plus diclofenac had greater improvements on all the questionnaires, compared with\u00a0people taking only diclofenac. However, those taking tanezumab plus diclofenac were more likely to report\u00a0possible side effects, such as back pain, swelling in their legs, and odd sensations, such as tingling. They were Overall, the chance of serious problems was similar for people taking tanezumab plus diclofenac and those\u00a0taking diclofenac alone. However, six people taking both medicines were reported to have osteonecrosis, compared\u00a0with no people taking only diclofenac. A follow-up review wasn\u2019t able to confirm that the people actually HOW RELIABLE ARE THE FINDINGS?<\/strong><\/p>\n This was a randomised controlled trial, which is the best type of study for finding out the effects of a treatment.\u00a0Its results should be fairly reliable.<\/p>\n WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have osteoarthritis in your knee or hip, you might have heard of tanezumab as a promising new treatment\u00a0for osteoarthritis pain. Researchers are still exploring whether tanezumab is helpful for osteoarthritis\u00a0when used on its own. But the findings from this study and others suggest that this treatment should not be\u00a0used along with diclofenac and other NSAIDs.However, there are several other treatments you can try to improve your symptoms, including other medicines,\u00a0pain-relieving creams, braces, and joint injections. Physiotherapy and especially regular exercise also can\u00a0help, and surgery may be an option. Your doctor can help you decide what might be best for you.<\/p>\n Disclaimer<\/strong>: This is a summary of a scientific article written by a medical professional (\u201cthe Original Article\u201d). The Summary is written to assist non medically trained readers to understand general points of the Original Article. \u00a0It should not be relied on in any way whatsoever<\/span>, (which also means the Summary is not medical advice), and is simply supplied to aid a lay understanding of general points of the Original Article. It is supplied \u201cas is\u201d without any warranty. You should note that the Original Article (and Summary) may not be accurate as errors can occur and also may be out of date as medical science is constantly changing. \u00a0It is very important that readers not rely on the content in the Summary and consult their medical professionals for all aspects of their health care. Do not use this Summary as medical advice even if the Summary is supplied to the reader by a medical professional.<\/strong> Date summary prepared:\u00a0September 2014<\/p>\n Summary based on research article published on: 12 July 2013<\/p>\n Balanescu, A R et al<\/em>.\u00a0Efficacy and safety of tanezumab added on to diclofenac sustained release in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicentre phase III randomised clinical trial.\u00a0Ann Rheum Dis<\/em> 2014;73:1665-1672 doi:10.1136\/annrheumdis-2012-203164<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & European League Against Rheumatism. Medical professionals may print copies for their and their patients and students non commercial use. Other individuals may print a single copy for their personal, non commercial use. For other uses please contact our Rights and Licensing<\/a> Team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Taking an experimental drug called tanezumab along with a common pain medicine can help osteoarthritis\u00a0symptoms, a study suggests. However, the chance of side effects from this combined treatment seems to outweigh\u00a0the benefits. INTRODUCTION Osteoarthritis is the most common condition affecting the joints. Many people get osteoarthritis in their knees\u00a0or hips, which makes them stiff and […]<\/p>\n
\nNSAIDs can work well to ease the pain of osteoarthritis and reduce swelling in the joint. But sometimes they\u00a0don\u2019t help enough.<\/p>\n
\njoint to be replaced.<\/p>\n
\nalso more likely to stop their treatment because of side effects.<\/p>\n
\nhad this condition. However, one person was found to have osteoarthritis that was worsening quickly. An\u00a0earlier study looking at the use of tanezumab with other NSAIDs had \u00a0also reported this problem.\u00a0Overall, the researchers concluded that the possible harms of taking tanezumab plus diclofenac outweighed\u00a0the benefits.<\/p>\n
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