Sciatica is a symptom of damage to, or irritation of, the sciatic nerve, the body's largest and longest nerve. This nerve influences movement and sensation in the buttocks, upper and lower leg, and foot. The pain from sciatica can range from mild to extremely severe, and can be chronic or acute. Medications can be used to ease the pain and reduce inflammation of the nerve.
Over the Counter Medications
A trip to the pharmacy can provide some relief to those who suffer from sciatica. Over-the-counter medications offer limited pain control, and in some cases, anti-inflammatory aid to address sciatic pain. Advil, Motrin and Aleve are three examples of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that may help reduce inflammation and pain in cases of sciatica.
Acetaminophen preparations, which Drugs.com lists as including Tylenol and Tempra, can be used to reduce pain, but not inflammation. Over the counter medications are not free from side effects. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been known to cause nausea and stomach problems, and excessive use of acetaminophen can damage the liver.
Prescription Drugs
MayoClinic.com states that prescription muscle relaxants, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and tricyclic antidepressants are sometimes recommended by physicians for the management of sciatic symptoms.
Drugs.com lists Amrix and Flexiril as muscle relaxants used in the treatment of sciatica. Muscle relaxants can relieve some forms of back pain, but they also can cause drowsiness, and in some cases patients become addicted.
The New York Times lists several prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat sciatica, such as Narposyn, Seractil and Tolectin, and suggests that they should be taken with food to reduce gastric side effects.
Narcotics are sometime prescribed in instances of severe sciatic pain. Opiates, which are created from natural opium, and opioids, which are synthetic, could possibly be used in treating sciatica. Opioids include OxyContin and Vicodin. Morphine and codeine are also opiates.
Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil have sometimes been used to lessen pain but the New York Times notes that their effectiveness is questionable and their side effects are severe.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Sciatica is sometimes treated via the injection of steroids, also known as corticosteroids, into the space between the spinal membrane and the spine itself, close to the area of the affected nerve. The anti-inflammatory benefits of this procedure in effectively treating sciatica are somewhat dubious, according to the New York Times.
