Back pain medications should normally be taken only after consulting a competent physician. This is mainly due to the fact that a lay person would not be able to identify the root cause of the back pain. However, certain medications could be resorted to as first aid for immediate relief from pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc., could provide some relief in the initial stages of back pain. Consulting a physician and taking the correct back pain medication is always best for the patient.
Chronic and severe back pains like lower back pain, upper and neck pain, etc. tend to depress the patient and induce insomnia. Further, the difficulty in normal activities or exercising could aggravate the back pain further. In such situations, medications are the first step in the treatment of back pain. Several over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available for this purpose.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common medications recommended for low back pains and neck pains. Ibuprofen medicines like Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, etc., Naproxen medications like Aleve, Naprosyn, etc. and COX -2 inhibitors like Bextra, Celebrex, etc., come under this category. However, on April 7, 2005 , the U.S. FDA ruled the suspension of Bextra sale by Pfizer and it is not available now. Acetaminophen is also prescribed for this purpose.
Oral steroids, which are more powerful anti-inflammatory medications, are administered in strong doses in initial stages and the doses are progressively reduced over the next week or two. Medrol dose pack is an example of this type of medication.
Narcotic medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications are the other medicines recommended for shorter periods to address chronic severe back pains for temporary relief. Codeine, propoxyphene, hydrocodone and oxycodone medications are examples of narcotic pain medications. Carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine and diazepam (Valium) are a few types of antidepressants. Gabapentin is an example of anti-seizure medication. However, these types of medications should be taken only under the strict supervision of the physician.
We should bear in mind that all medications have their own risks and side effects, as well as specific drug interactions. There would be cases of patients taking medications for other ailments like diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. In such circumstances, combining back pain medications could lead to unforeseen complications. It would not be possible for the patients to fully understand the various complexities involved in drug interactions, risks and side effects of multiple medications.
As such, the physician is the best judge in back pain medications. The doctor would analyze the past history of the patient, his current ailments and physical condition to arrive at the proper combination of medication that would result in an early and uncomplicated cure of your back pains.
In several cases, injections are more effective for back pains than oral medication, as they are delivered directly to the location of the pain. Temporary numbing injections like lidocaine are used for immediate relief in facet joints, sacroiliac joints. Epidural, selective nerve root block injections, facet joint block injections, facet rhizotomy injections and sacroiliac joint block injections are some the types used in back pain relief. A few of them are meant for temporary pain relief, while others are used for long-term relief. Injections are also used for diagnostic purposes of back pains and other ailments.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common medications recommended for low back pains and neck pains