What does the doctor give you for inflammation?

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six out of 10 Americans live with at least one chronic illness, many of which involve inflammation. When managing symptoms, it is essential to understand what does the doctor give you for inflammation, as treatment can vary widely based on the cause and severity of your condition.

Quick Summary

Doctors prescribe various medications to treat inflammation, from common over-the-counter options to powerful targeted therapies. The choice depends on the underlying condition, severity, and patient health history. Treatment ranges from oral pills to injectable drugs for both acute and chronic cases.

Key Points

Variety of Medications: Doctors may prescribe NSAIDs, corticosteroids, DMARDs, or biologics depending on the type and severity of inflammation.
NSAIDs for Mild-to-Moderate Inflammation: Over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs are common for short-term pain and inflammation relief by blocking specific enzymes.
Corticosteroids for Severe Flares: Powerful corticosteroids are used for severe inflammation but are typically prescribed for short durations due to significant side effects.
DMARDs and Biologics for Chronic Conditions: For long-term management of chronic inflammatory diseases, DMARDs and biologics target the root cause of the inflammation.
Dosage and Patient Factors are Key: A doctor considers the cause, severity, individual health history, and potential for side effects when selecting the right medication for a patient.
Topical Options Available: For localized pain and swelling, topical NSAIDs or corticosteroids can provide targeted relief with fewer systemic side effects.
Gout has Specific Treatments: For gout-related inflammation, specific medications like colchicine or uric acid-lowering agents are used alongside general anti-inflammatory drugs.

Understanding the Types of Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's natural immune response to injury, infection, or foreign substances. It can manifest as redness, swelling, heat, and pain. While acute (short-term) inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, chronic (long-term) inflammation is linked to many diseases, including autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The type and severity of inflammation dictate the kind of medication a doctor will prescribe.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are one of the most common treatments for mild to moderate inflammation and pain. They work by blocking specific enzymes, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which produce prostaglandins, chemicals that cause inflammation.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) NSAIDs

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): A widely available option for relieving pain and reducing fever, effective for conditions like muscle strains and headaches.
Naproxen (Aleve): Longer-lasting than ibuprofen, providing relief for up to 12 hours.
Aspirin (Bayer, Ecotrin): In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, aspirin has blood-thinning properties, but it should not be given to children or teenagers due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Prescription NSAIDs

Stronger formulations: A doctor may prescribe higher-strength oral NSAIDs for more severe pain or chronic conditions.
COX-2 Selective Inhibitors (e.g., Celecoxib, Celebrex): These newer NSAIDs are designed to primarily block the COX-2 enzyme, reducing the risk of certain gastrointestinal side effects associated with traditional NSAIDs. However, they may carry a higher risk of cardiovascular events, especially with long-term use.
Topical NSAIDs (e.g., Diclofenac gel, Voltaren): Applied directly to the skin over an affected joint, these formulations provide localized relief with reduced systemic side effects.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs that mimic cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. They are highly effective for severe inflammation but carry a greater risk of side effects, especially with long-term use.

Administration Methods

Oral (e.g., Prednisone): Often prescribed as a short-term solution for severe inflammation or a flare-up of a chronic condition while waiting for slower-acting medications to take effect.
Injected (e.g., Cortisone): Injections can deliver medication directly into an inflamed joint (intra-articular), muscle (intramuscular), or bursa (bursitis) for targeted, rapid relief.
Topical (e.g., Creams): Used for inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Inhaled (e.g., Fluticasone): Primarily for managing inflammation in respiratory conditions like asthma.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

For chronic, progressive inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs are a cornerstone of treatment. Unlike NSAIDs and corticosteroids, DMARDs work to suppress the underlying disease process rather than just masking symptoms. It can take weeks or months to see their full effect.

Types of DMARDs

Conventional DMARDs (e.g., Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine): These are older, broad-acting immunosuppressants often used as initial therapy.
Biologic DMARDs (e.g., Adalimumab, Etanercept): These are newer, genetically engineered proteins that target specific components of the immune system responsible for inflammation. They are often used when conventional DMARDs are not effective.
Targeted Synthetic DMARDs (JAK inhibitors, e.g., Tofacitinib): These are small-molecule drugs taken orally that inhibit specific signaling pathways inside immune cells.

Biologics

Biologics are a specialized subset of DMARDs that specifically target the inflammatory process at a molecular level. They are typically reserved for more severe chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that do not respond to other treatments. Examples include Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors and Interleukin (IL) inhibitors.

Gout Medications

Gout is a specific type of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. In addition to NSAIDs and corticosteroids for acute flares, doctors may prescribe specific medications for long-term management.

Colchicine (Colcrys): Specifically used to relieve pain during a gout attack and prevent future flares.
Uric Acid-Lowering Agents (e.g., Allopurinol, Febuxostat): These medications reduce the production of uric acid to prevent future attacks, but are not for immediate pain relief.

How Your Doctor Chooses the Right Medication

The decision on which medication to prescribe is a careful balancing act, considering several factors:

Cause of Inflammation: Is it from an injury, an autoimmune disease, or a specific condition like gout?
Severity: Is the inflammation mild and localized, or severe and systemic?
Patient Health History: Conditions like kidney disease, heart problems, or a history of ulcers can influence which medications are safe to use.
Administration Preference: The patient's comfort with oral pills, injections, or IV infusions.
Risk vs. Benefit: Weighing the potential side effects against the expected therapeutic benefits, especially for long-term treatment with corticosteroids or biologics.

Comparison of Anti-inflammatory Medications


Feature	NSAIDs	Corticosteroids	DMARDs/Biologics
Mechanism of Action	Block enzymes (COX) that produce inflammatory chemicals (prostaglandins).	Mimic natural cortisol, suppressing the immune system and broadly inhibiting inflammatory responses.	Target specific parts of the immune system to interrupt the disease-causing inflammatory cascade.
Onset of Action	Fast (hours).	Very fast (hours to days).	Slow (weeks to months).
Best For	Short-term, mild-to-moderate inflammation (e.g., sprains, headaches).	Severe, short-term inflammation or disease flares; localized inflammation (injections).	Chronic, progressive inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis).
Common Side Effects	GI issues (stomach irritation, ulcers), cardiovascular risks, kidney issues.	Weight gain, mood swings, increased blood sugar, infections, bone loss.	Increased risk of infection, injection site reactions, potential for immune response against drug.
Duration of Use	Short-term (generally 10 days or less for OTC).	Short-term for flares; ideally avoided for long-term use due to side effects.	Long-term to control underlying disease.

Conclusion

When you visit a doctor for inflammation, the treatment strategy will be customized to your specific needs. There is a wide range of medications available, from common over-the-counter NSAIDs for minor injuries to highly targeted biologics for complex chronic diseases. The physician’s goal is to manage your symptoms effectively while minimizing side effects and addressing the underlying cause of your inflammation. It is crucial to follow your doctor's instructions precisely, discuss any health history or concerns, and never mix anti-inflammatory drugs without professional medical advice.

Recommended resource

For more in-depth information about anti-inflammatory drugs and their effects, the Arthritis Foundation provides comprehensive drug guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Corticosteroids, either oral or injected, are typically the fastest-acting anti-inflammatory medications. They can begin to reduce inflammation and pain within hours or days.

You should not mix different types of NSAIDs or take NSAIDs alongside certain other anti-inflammatory drugs without a doctor's explicit guidance. This can increase the risk of serious side effects like stomach bleeding or kidney problems. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Yes, several NSAIDs are available over-the-counter, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Topical NSAID gels are also available without a prescription.

Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with side effects such as weight gain, increased blood sugar, mood swings, bone loss (osteoporosis), and a higher risk of infections. For this reason, doctors aim for the lowest effective dose for the shortest period possible.

For chronic inflammation, doctors often use slower-acting but more powerful medications like Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. These address the underlying immune system issues causing the inflammation, rather than just the symptoms.

While not a medication, following an anti-inflammatory diet is often recommended to help reduce chronic inflammation. This involves eating more fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while limiting refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and excessive sugar.

You should see a doctor if inflammation is severe, persistent, or accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever and body aches. For acute inflammation, seeking professional advice is recommended if over-the-counter options are insufficient or symptoms don't improve within a few days.