Are Your Joint Pain & Muscle Tension Caused by Your Medications?

Joint pain, back tension, and other musculoskeletal discomforts are some of the most common issues you may deal with as the wear and tear of existence takes a toll on your body. There are a lot of ways to manage this kind of pain from rehabilitative exercise to changing your pillow.  

It can get really frustrating when your body aches begin to interfere with daily functioning and you find yourself waking up in the morning and immediately reaching for OTC pain meds. But did you know there are some medications that may actually be the cause of your joint pain?  

In this article, our musculoskeletal experts at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation discuss nine medications that frequently cause joint pain. 

Unexplainable Pain Got You Down? Take a Look in Your Medicine Cabinet 

In this blog post, we’ll cover the following key takeaways: 

• Joint and muscle aches can be caused by certain medications. 

• Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, statins, and aromatase inhibitors are the most common medications that cause joint or muscle pain. 

• There are steps you can take if you think a certain medication is causing you pain. 

1. Antibiotic Levofloxacin 

Levofloxacin is an antibiotic frequently prescribed for sinus infections and pneumonia. It belongs to a group known as fluoroquinolones and causes muscle and joint pain in approximately 14% of people who take it.  

Adults over 60 years old are at a greater risk of developing these side effects, and they will typically occur within 3 days of starting the antibiotic. Fortunately, these side effects typically go away within a week of discontinuing use. 

2. Cholesterol-Lowering Statins 

Statins are infamous for causing musculoskeletal pain. These cholesterol-lowering medications block the liver from producing cholesterol. While lowering the dose of this medication may not erase muscle pain, it can make it more manageable. Talk to your doctor about reducing your dose if you think this medication is causing your pain. 

3. Osteoporosis-Managing Bisphosphonates 

Osteoporosis causes weak and brittle bones, which can be painful and make you more prone to injury. Bisphosphonates stop the minerals in bones from dissolving and leaking back into the bloodstream. Unfortunately, they can also cause severe bone, muscle, and joint pain in rare cases.  

4. Asthma Inhalers 

Liquified gaseous corticosteroids treat lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They help the affected individual by reducing inflammation in the lungs and opening up the airways.  

While uncommon, inhaled steroids can cause a condition called osteonecrosis, which is when bone cells don’t get adequate oxygen and begin to die off. As you can imagine, this is incredibly painful. Long-term use of oral or injected steroids is even more likely to cause this side effect.  

Muscle pain is another potential side effect of asthma inhalers, although it is uncommon. 

5. Breast Cancer Medications 

Anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole are medications that are frequently used to treat breast cancer. These fall under a group of medications known as aromatase inhibitors, which block the production of estrogen hormones.  

Those who’ve been faced with breast cancer but made it through to the finish line often take these medications for several years to keep breast cancer from returning. Studies have shown that nearly 50% of people using these medications may experience joint discomfort.  

6. Isotretinoin for Acne 

Severe acne is often treated with oral medications. Unfortunately, studies have shown that anywhere between 16% and 70% of people taking this medication will face muscle pain or stiffness. In addition to muscle tension, almost 50% of people on this medication will deal with joint pain.  

If you are on Isotretinoin and are experiencing pain out of nowhere, you may want to look into alternative acne treatments and make significant lifestyle changes such as cutting out certain foods.  

7. Nerve Pain and Anti-Seizure Medication 

Pregabalin is used to treat certain nerve pain issues that may be caused by fibromyalgia or diabetes. It can additionally treat seizures; however, joint pain can be a side effect. An alternative that does not cause joint pain may be gabapentin, so talk to your provider if you are having issues.  

8. Premarin to Increase Estrogen 

This medication is a hormone replacement that can help treat hot flashes and menopause-related symptoms. It causes joint pain in about 6% of people.  

9. Carvedilol for Blood Pressure Management 

Carvedilol, which is considered a beta-blocker, is used to treat blood pressure issues. It relaxes the cells in the heart and blood vessels to reduce high blood pressure and prevent heart failure. Unfortunately, a small percentage of people experience joint aches and muscle pain on this medication. 

Learn More > Relieve Pain with Self-Myofascial Release Techniques 

Manage Your Pain with Movement 

The only way to truly stop joint pain that is caused by a certain medication is to stop the use of the medication. However, you should always consult with your healthcare provider before stopping a medication. 

If discontinuing the medication is not an option, there are natural ways to manage the pain. Applying ice or heat to the affected area, compressing the joint with a wrap, or elevating the joint above heart level may help reduce inflammation and discomfort.  

Additionally, an appropriate exercise program can help keep your body functioning to the best of its ability. However, it is important that you build an appropriate exercise routine for where your body is at. With our team at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation, you can develop a plan that helps you feel your best. 

To work with our M.A.T. experts and manage your pain, schedule your evaluation today!