Musculoskeletal
Medicines for Reactive arthritis
Joint inflammation triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body — usually the gut or genitals — that typically settles over months, managed with symptom relief.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Reactive arthritis?
Reactive arthritis is inflammation of the joints that develops as a reaction to an infection in another part of the body, most often a gut infection (causing diarrhoea) or a sexually transmitted infection, typically a week or two beforehand. It usually causes pain, swelling and stiffness in a few joints, often in the legs (knees, ankles, feet), and can also cause inflammation of the eyes (redness and discomfort) and, sometimes, the urinary tract.
- How it is treated: Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms while the inflammation settles, and on treating any ongoing triggering infection.
- Self-care: Balancing rest during flares with gentle movement, physiotherapy, and simple pain relief help recovery.
- When to seek help: See a GP about joint pain and swelling developing after a gut or genital infection, particularly with eye redness.
What it is
Reactive arthritis is inflammation of the joints that develops as a reaction to an infection in another part of the body, most often a gut infection (causing diarrhoea) or a sexually transmitted infection, typically a week or two beforehand. It usually causes pain, swelling and stiffness in a few joints, often in the legs (knees, ankles, feet), and can also cause inflammation of the eyes (redness and discomfort) and, sometimes, the urinary tract. It is more common in younger adults. The triggering infection is often over by the time the arthritis appears. Most cases settle over a few months, though some people have recurrences or longer-lasting joint problems.
How it is treated
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms while the inflammation settles, and on treating any ongoing triggering infection. Anti-inflammatory pain relief helps joint symptoms, and steroid injections into badly affected joints can be useful. For persistent or more severe cases, medicines that modify the immune response may be used. Eye inflammation is treated promptly, often with eye specialist input. Rest during flares balanced with gentle movement, and physiotherapy, support recovery. Most people recover well, and understanding that it usually improves over time is reassuring. Care may involve a rheumatologist.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Reactive arthritis
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Balancing rest during flares with gentle movement, physiotherapy, and simple pain relief help recovery. Treating and preventing the triggering infections (including safer sex to prevent relevant STIs) reduces the chance of recurrence.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP about joint pain and swelling developing after a gut or genital infection, particularly with eye redness. Seek urgent care for a hot, very painful, swollen joint with fever (to exclude a joint infection), or sudden eye pain with vision changes.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Reactive arthritis: frequently asked questions
What triggers reactive arthritis?
It is triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body — usually a gut infection or a sexually transmitted infection — typically a week or two before the joint symptoms appear.
Does reactive arthritis go away?
Most cases settle over a few months with symptom relief. Some people have recurrences or longer-lasting joint problems, which may need further treatment.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Reactive arthritis
- NICE CKS — Reactive arthritis
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