![](https://naturalhealthresponse.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NHT-231227-1000x667-1-1000x300.jpg)
“Old” Drug Works Wonders for Painful Hand Arthritis
The older you get, the greater your chances of suffering from painful arthritis in your hands.
But despite this condition being so common, there are limited drug treatments to rein in the pain—and most of the time, they’re ineffective.
But instead of going through the time and expense of developing a new drug for this condition, scientists say they’ve uncovered an existing solution sitting right under our noses all along.
In medicine, newer is NOT always better.
That’s one of the reasons why there’s a growing movement to repurpose existing drugs to be used for conditions other than the ones they’re approved to treat.
In fact, many doctors are already prescribing the drug methotrexate to treat hand arthritis.
This drug treats rheumatoid arthritis, a condition with (supposedly) different underlying causes from osteoarthritis.
But the drug’s low price tag, long history of safety, and promising anecdotal results make it appealing for osteoarthritis—especially since few alternatives actually work.
To put this drug to the test in patients with osteoarthritis of the hand, researchers gave them a standard dose of methotrexate (20 mg once a week) or a placebo.
X-rays confirmed the arthritis diagnosis and MRIs confirmed the presence of inflammation.
The methotrexate group experienced improvements at months one, three, and six compared to the placebo group.
Overall, the drug group had twice the improvement in pain as the placebo group at the end of six months.
You don’t usually see me touting drugs, but sometimes they are necessary—and some would even call them a godsend.
If you find yourself in this situation, older drugs with a long track record of safety are preferable.
If you’re experiencing painful hand arthritis—and no treatment options have worked for you—talk to your doctor about the possibility of methotrexate.
P.S. Forward-thinking researchers have identified existing drugs that have potent effects against killer cancer. I’ll share four of them in the January issue of my newsletter. Not a subscriber? CLICK HERE to learn how to become one.
SOURCE:
“Methotrexate to treat hand osteoarthritis with synovitis (METHODS): an Australian, multisite, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial,” The Lancet, Volume 402, ISSUE 10414, P1764-1772, November 11, 2023, doi. org/ 10.1016 /S0140-6736(23)01572-6
![Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.](https://naturalhealthresponse.com/wp-content/themes/health-child/images/author-images/Dr.RichardGerhauser,M.D..jpg)
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
Mother Nature's Bone-Building Secret REVEALED
Mainstream medicine has peddled the same old song and dance about osteoporosis for years. Pop some calcium pills… do some jumping jacks… and cross your fingers that your bones don’t crumble like a stale cookie. But what if I told you Mother Nature has been hiding a bone-building secret right under our noses? And we […]
The INCREDIBLE Payoff for Delaying Diabetes
If you don’t know where your blood sugar levels stand, it’s time to get them checked. It’s estimated that one in three adults has prediabetes, yet 80 percent of these folks have NO IDEA they’re in this category. That’s a BIG problem because most people will develop type 2 diabetes within just five years of […]
The Biggest Dementia Risk Factor REVEALED
I’m sure you’re familiar with the Skeleton Dance song… “The foot bone is connected to the leg bone. The leg bone is connected to the knee bone…” It’s easy to think of our bones being linked because we can physically see them. What’s less obvious is that everything else about your health is JUST as […]
It's NEVER Too Late to Kick This Dangerous Habit
You’ve heard it a million times before: “Smoking is bad for you.” If you’re still lighting up, I bet you remember a time when smoking wasn’t just accepted—it was downright fashionable. Remember when you could smoke in restaurants, on airplanes, and even in hospitals? Heck, movie stars even made it look cool and sophisticated. Well, […]
The TRUTH About ED No One's Talking About
It’s a subject most men would rather sweep under the rug… erectile dysfunction (ED). But you’re not alone if you’re having trouble in the bedroom. In fact, ED affects up to 30 million men in the U.S. alone. However, popping a little blue pill isn’t the answer. ED drugs are often just slapping a Band-Aid […]
Don’t Let Muscle Loss RUIN Your Golden Years
For older women, muscle mass can take a nosedive after menopause. This means more than trouble carrying in the groceries. Over time, the decline in muscle mass can lead to mobility problems, balance problems, falls, and ultimately a loss of independence. Staying active is a critical piece of the puzzle. But now, researchers have discovered […]
The Bad Habit Causing Lupus
All autoimmune diseases are on the rise—but lupus is one of the worst. When the condition strikes, your immune system starts to attack healthy tissues. Lupus cases have increased by 60 percent in women and have increased six-fold in men over the past four decades. What’s driving this dramatic increase? Well, we might have found […]
SHOCKING Missing Piece of the Diabetes Puzzle Discovered
I’ve been saying for years that there’s MORE to type 2 diabetes than your weight—or even your diet. Sure, they play their part. But unless you’re adding in THIS missing piece of the puzzle, you could be increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes despite your best efforts to avoid it. And you’ll never guess […]
Ditch the Chips and DEFY Aging
Sometimes, you just want something to crunch on. The craving can send even the most health-conscious among us heading straight to the snack aisle. But before you reach for the potato chips—which can contain all kinds of harmful ingredients—I have a better idea. Try THIS crunchy, healthy snack instead of loading up ingredients that can […]
Is Aspirin DEADLY? (Get the Truth Here)
Old habits die hard… especially when we’ve been led to believe they’re good ones. We were told for years that taking an aspirin a day would lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. But for many, those were empty promises that came with a LOT of risk… and LITTLE reward. That’s why, if you’re […]