Best Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug for osteoarthritis
Top-rated pick: Flector — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 17 Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug drugs used for osteoarthritis, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for osteoarthritis or the full Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 17 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug drugs we rate for osteoarthritis, all are available as lower-cost generics, and most are capsule. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for osteoarthritis; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug work
NSAIDs block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that your body uses to make prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling, and fever. Lowering prostaglandins eases pain and inflammation and brings down a high temperature.
Source: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Top nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for osteoarthritis: 1. Flector · 2. Voltaren Arthritis Pain · 3. Xifyrm
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | System | Generic | $146 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Over-the-counter | Topical | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 4 | 64/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 5 | 64/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $18 | View → | |
| 6 | 64/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $5 | View → | |
| 7 | 64/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $6 | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 10 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $18 | View → |
Full ranking · 17 drugs
flector
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Flector (Diclofenac Epolamine) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
~$146.33 /30
Save up to 99% in classvoltaren arthritis pain
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Voltaren Arthritis Pain (Diclofenac Sodium) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.09· 6 forms Save up to 89% in classxifyrm
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Xifyrm (Meloxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.50/30· 4 formscelecoxib
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Osteoarthritis, Adenomatous Polyposis Coli.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.14/30· 4 forms Save up to 78% in class
daypro
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Daypro (Oxaprozin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$17.64/30· 2 forms Save up to 97% in classfeldene
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Feldene (Piroxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammation, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.42/30· 2 forms Save up to 90% in classsulindac
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Sulindac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bursitis, Inflammation, Osteoarthritis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$5.68/30· 2 forms Save up to 91% in classcambia
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cambia (Diclofenac Potassium) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.09· 6 forms Save up to 89% in classcelebrex
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Celebrex (Celecoxib) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Osteoarthritis, Adenomatous Polyposis Coli.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.14/30· 4 forms Save up to 78% in classcoxanto
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Coxanto (Oxaprozin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$17.64/30· 2 forms Save up to 97% in classdiclofenac potassium
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Diclofenac Potassium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.09· 6 forms Save up to 89% in classelyxyb
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Elyxyb (Celecoxib) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Osteoarthritis, Adenomatous Polyposis Coli.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.14/30· 4 forms Save up to 78% in classlicart
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Licart (Diclofenac Epolamine) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
~$146.33 /30
Save up to 99% in classqamzova
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Qamzova (Meloxicam) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.50/30· 4 formsvazalore
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Vazalore (Aspirin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fever, Gout, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.47/30· 2 forms Save up to 28% in classvyscoxa
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Vyscoxa (Celecoxib) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Osteoarthritis, Adenomatous Polyposis Coli.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.14/30· 4 forms Save up to 78% in classzipsor
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Zipsor (Diclofenac Potassium) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.09· 6 forms Save up to 89% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for osteoarthritis?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — flector ranks highest among Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug drugs used for osteoarthritis. Always consult a professional.
- Which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug drugs treat osteoarthritis?
- pharmaranks lists 17 Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug products used for osteoarthritis, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.