Medication Management of Arthritis

For most older adults, Dr. Hashmi recommends starting with acetaminophen (Tylenol). "It is weaker than an NSAID, but you can compensate for that by taking a higher dose," he says. A potential side effect is liver damage, but you can safely take up to 3 grams a day. Tylenol typically comes in pills of 325 or 500 milligrams (mg). "You can take up to two 500-mg pills three times a day without fear it will affect the liver," he says.