Paracetamol 'not effective' in treating osteoarthritis: study

Paris

PARACETAMOL, a common over-the-counter pain-reliever, does not work in the treatment of osteoarthritis, a joint disorder afflicting tens of millions of elderly people, according to a study released on Friday.

When taken on its own to alleviate pain or enhance mobility, the drug was found to be only marginally - and insignificantly - better than a dummy pill, according to a broad survey of 74 clinical trials covering nearly 60,000 patients.