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Pain Relief for Arthritis

Osteoarthritis pain can occur in any joint, but it most often affects the knees, hips, back, and hands, which may not only affect your ability to get around but also limit your ability to engage in many of your favorite day-to-day activities and hobbies.

What hurts and what helps
Why you should not skip medications
Simple lifestyle changes to help control pain

Understanding what hurts and what can help

Learning how to manage osteoarthritis pain can help you take back control of your life and be able to participate in more of the daily activities you enjoy. To get pain relief for arthritis, it helps to know what can make osteoarthritis pain feel worse and what can help you in managing it.

Things that may make osteoarthritis pain feel worse	Things that can help make osteoarthritis pain more manageable
Overdoing physical activity Getting too little sleep Overly tiring your joints Putting undue stress on affected joints (eg, carrying heavy shopping bags with one hand)	Getting regular, moderate exercise Losing weight, if necessary Getting massages, and heat and/or cold treatments Giving your joints a rest when they need it Taking your medication(s) as prescribed

The importance of taking your medication as directed

So what about those days when you’re feeling pretty good? Your arthritis pain seems to be under control and you may be tempted to take a few days off from your NSAID therapy because it sometimes upsets your stomach.

If you're finding it difficult to take your NSAIDs every day as prescribed because of stomach issues, ask your doctor about VIMOVO. VIMOVO is an arthritis pain reliever that can also help to avoid some stomach issues common to NSAIDs, and it may be a prescription NSAID therapy option that can help you get your arthritis pain and inflammation under control—and get you back to doing some of the things you love.

VIMOVO should be used at the lowest dose and for the shortest amount of time as directed by your physician. Controlled studies do not extend beyond 6 months.

Making simple lifestyle changes for arthritis pain relief

Lifestyle changes can help you get pain relief for arthritis, and can also help prevent osteoarthritis from getting to the point where it limits your ability to participate in everyday activities. Here are some helpful suggestions to discuss with your doctor.

Get regular exercise. Research shows that moderate exercise can be an effective way to help manage osteoarthritis pain, reducing joint pain and stiffness, helping build muscles around affected joints, and increasing your flexibility and endurance.

Before getting started, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the type of exercise that's right for you. Then get moving with a program that can include

Strengthening exercises to build the muscles that support the joints affected by arthritis
Range of motion exercises, such as stretching your arms, legs, and back, to help keep your joints flexible
Endurance exercises, such as walking or swimming, to help keep your heart, lungs, and muscles strong

Protect your joints. Talk to your doctor about ways to help reduce added stress on your joints. Some helpful tips include

Don't over-stress an affected joint. Use self-help devices, such as jar openers and buttoning aids, and use both arms when carrying things to avoid putting too much stress on one joint
Avoid staying in one position too long. Reposition your body often to keep your joints from becoming stiff and painful
Balance activity with rest. Don't keep going when your joints are telling you they need a break. Take a breather when you need it
Watch your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce stress on your joints and increase your ability to get around. Talk to your doctor about healthy eating habits and coming up with a plan for you

The information on this Web site is not intended as medical advice and should not take the place of talking with your doctor about how to manage and treat your osteoarthritis. If you have any questions about osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You should also talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you would like more information about VIMOVO.

Next: Arthritis Smart Moves

Important Safety Information:

Like all medications that contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), VIMOVO may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This chance increases

With longer use of NSAID medicines

In people who have heart disease

See additional Important Safety Information below.

Treatment information

Find out about VIMOVO, a prescription arthritis pain reliever that can also help to avoid some stomach issues common to NSAIDs. Learn more

$0 copay for 1 year

Most patients pay no
out-of-pocket costs for up to 1 year with the VIMOVO Savings Card.

Requires a prescription; subject to eligibility rules; restrictions apply.

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Prescribing Information

Important Safety Information

Like all medications that contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), VIMOVO may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This chance increases
- With longer use of NSAID medicines
- In people who have heart disease
NSAID-containing medications, such as VIMOVO, should never be used before or after a type of heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
As with all medications that contain NSAIDs, VIMOVO may increase the chance of stomach and intestinal problems, such as bleeding or an ulcer, which can occur without warning and may cause death
- Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events

VIMOVO is not right for everyone, including patients who have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAID medicine, patients who are allergic to any of the ingredients in VIMOVO, or women in late stages of pregnancy.

Serious allergic reactions, including skin reactions, can occur without warning and can be life-threatening; discontinue use of VIMOVO at the first appearance of a skin rash, or if you develop sudden wheezing; swelling of the lips, tongue or throat; fainting; or problems swallowing.

VIMOVO should be used at the lowest dose and for the shortest amount of time as directed by your health care provider.

Tell your health care provider right away if you develop signs of active bleeding from any source.

VIMOVO can lead to onset of new hypertension or worsening of existing high blood pressure, either of which may contribute to an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Speak with your health care provider before starting VIMOVO if you

Have a history of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines
Have heart problems, high blood pressure, or are taking high blood pressure medications
Have kidney or liver problems

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, prescription and non-prescription drugs, including clopidogrel, vitamins and herbal supplements. VIMOVO may affect how other medicines work and other medicines may affect how VIMOVO works.

VIMOVO may increase your risk of getting severe diarrhea. Call your doctor right away if you have watery stool, stomach pain, and fever that does not go away.

Talk to your health care provider about your risk for bone fractures if you take VIMOVO for a long period of time.

Talk to your health care provider about your risk for developing low levels of magnesium if you take VIMOVO for a long period of time.

The most common side effects of VIMOVO include: inflammation of the lining of the stomach, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, abdominal pain, and nausea.

Approved Uses for VIMOVO

VIMOVO is approved to relieve the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis and to decrease the risk of stomach (gastric) ulcers in patients at risk of developing stomach ulcers from treatment with NSAIDs.

VIMOVO is not recommended as a starting treatment for relief of acute pain. Controlled studies do not extend beyond 6 months.

Click here for the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, with Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

This product information is intended for US consumers only.

VIMOVO is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.