See how Medco specialist pharmacists help champion athletes manage their prescription medications.

“Don’t let your arthritis give you an ulcer.”

What kind of arthritis do you have?

There's a lot of confusion about arthritis, which is a painful and potentially disabling condition affecting the joints. The confusion comes from the fact that there are different types of arthritis and many different types of treatment.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.* This condition comes from wear and tear on your joints. So it's not surprising that if you live long enough, there's a good chance you'll get osteoarthritis. Other common types of arthritis include gout and autoimmune arthritis—such as rheumatoid arthritis—which occurs when your body's immune system attacks your joints.

Treatments and side effects.

Most people with osteoarthritis can manage their pain by taking over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol^®, Advil^®, or aspirin. For other people, arthritis treatment requires prescription medication for pain management. It is important to remember that some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause ulcers, especially if you take them day in and day out for weeks at a time. If you are over 65, have heart disease, or take the blood thinner warfarin, you are especially at risk.

What you can do

If you have to take arthritis medicine every day, you may want to ask your doctor or pharmacist if there's a medication you need to take with it to help protect your stomach from an ulcer. The good news is that there are many such medications available. If your prescription program is managed by Medco and a medication safety issue arises, an Arthritis/Pain Management Pharmacist will work with you and your doctor to help make sure that you're getting the most effective treatment.

So don't let arthritis slow you down more than it has to. The right treatment can go a long way toward helping you live as active a lifestyle as you can.

*Mayo Clinic website,
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019

Bruce Jenner
gold medalist: decathlon

"My wife and I have ten children and deal with many chronic conditions: Asthma, a medication allergy, and my own osteoarthritis. Medco specialist pharmacists help us manage our family's care."

Learn how Bruce cares for himself
and his family

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Average annual savings calculations are projected from a study of over 8 million lowest online non-Medicare savings opportunities in 2007. Your actual savings may not reach the projected average. Savings amounts may vary based on drug prices, prescription programs in effect at the time of the savings calculation, applicable law and pharmacist's judgment. Sales tax, where applicable, is not included. In most cases, only those alternatives preferred by your prescription program are shown. Some or all of the alternatives may not be appropriate for you and all will require your doctor's approval. Not all have been reviewed by Medco's independent Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Medco can earn rebates on some drugs which may be shared with plan sponsors. No prescription change is made without a doctor's authorization.

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