I take 4 Tramadol tablets a day for my arthritis pain. I want to know if another medication would be more effective and less harmful for my liver and stomach. I take Celebrex 1 a day in the strong crises thus occasionally. Thank you for your answer.

Good morning, Madam,

Tramadol is not very harmful to the liver, but can actually cause stomach pain. It would be very beneficial for you to try to decrease their use. It is known that opiates are not a treatment of choice in osteoarthritis. Surprising as it may seem, the alternative is not in the pharmacy, but rather in physiotherapy. In fact, we know that for people who suffer from osteoarthritis, physical exercise is much more effective than medication. I suggest that you talk to your pharmacist or your doctor to find a physiotherapist who can help you determine the type of exercise that will reduce your pain.

Have a nice day,

Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist