Achilles Tendon Problems

You can use medicine to relieve pain from Achilles tendinopathy or an Achilles tendon rupture. The medicine may be prescription or nonprescription.

• Reference Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can relieve pain.
• Reference Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also often used to treat pain. But most tendon problems don't involve inflammation, so NSAIDs usually aren't needed. These drugs include ibuprofen (such as Advil and Motrin) and aspirin. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because of the risk of Reference Reye syndrome Opens New Window.

Reference Corticosteroid Opens New Window injections, which sometimes are injected around tendons or into joints to reduce pain and Reference inflammation Opens New Window, aren't used to treat Achilles tendinopathy. They may increase the risk of a tendon rupture.

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