In special cases, strong pain drugs such as codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone can help people with OA pain. Due to their side effects, doctors prescribe them only for those with severe pain who can’t take NSAIDs or for those waiting for joint replacement.
If other treatments don’t work, your doctor may prescribe a medication related to opioids called tramadol (Ultram).
They can cause some serious side effects if you use them for a long time, including dependence and addiction. Yet when you take them exactly as prescribed, these pain relievers can be safe and work well against pain.