Low Back Pain - Medications

SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS

Medicine can decrease low back pain and reduce muscle spasms in some people. But medicine alone is not an effective treatment for low back pain. It should be used along with other treatments, such as exercise and physical therapy.

Medication choices

There are several medicines your doctor may recommend, depending on how long you have had pain, what other symptoms you have, and your medical history.

The medicines recommended most often are:

  • Acetaminophen(Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. You can buy these medicines without a prescription. Some of them also come in stronger doses. For those, you'll need a prescription.
  • Muscle relaxants. Also called sedatives, these medicines can help when you get bad muscle spasms along with low back pain. Side effects, such as drowsiness, are common.
  • Narcotic pain medicines. These are very strong medicines that you may use to ease sudden, severe back pain. They are usually taken for only 1 to 2 weeks. People with chronic low back pain may take them for longer periods. You can take these drugs without becoming addicted.
  • Antidepressants. These medicines not only treat depression but also may help with chronic pain.

Other medicines sometimes used for low back pain are:

  • Anesthetic or steroid injections. These have been prescribed for chronic low back pain, but they have not been researched enough to know if they work well for back pain.
  • Anticonvulsants. These are sometimes used to treat low back pain, even though there isn't strong evidence that they help.
  • Botox injection. This is a shot into the back muscles. It has not been well tested for chronic low back pain.

Medicines that work for some people don't work for others. Let your doctor know if the medicine you are taking doesn't work for you. You may be able to take another medicine for your back pain.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: May 5, 2011
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics

1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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