Many people suffer from back pain. The pain may be in the lower back, middle back, up and down the spine, or in the lower back with a shooting sensation down the legs. Back pain may be caused by a variety of health conditions and injury. Medications are available to help people find relief from symptoms of back pain.
Back Pain
Back pain is a symptom of a medical condition. Strained muscles are the leading cause of back pain, according to an article in the March 2009 issue of “Medical Clinics of North America”. Other conditions causing back pain include arthritis, kidney stones, curvatures of the spine, ruptured or wore down discs between vertebrae, cancer and infection. Symptoms of back pain include a persistent stiffness or aching in the back, a sharp pain in the neck or back, a pain that radiates from the low back to the legs and feet, and an inability to stand straight without muscle spasms.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter medications are available to help alleviate back pain. According to Dr. Robert Gatchel in “Clinical Essentials of Pain Management”, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are a type of medication for pain relief that is available over the counter. NSAIDs include Bayer, which is a brand name for aspirin; Alleve, or naproxen; and Advil and Motrin, or ibuprofen. Tylenol, or acetominophen, is another over-the-counter medication to treat back pain. Advil PM and Tylenol PM are examples of over-the-counter back pain medications that include antihistamine, which is a substance that helps people with sleep.
Prescription Medications
Opioids are a type of prescription medications that are used to treat severe back pain. Examples of opioids are morphine, codeine, OxyContin, which is a brand name for oxycodone; Percocet, which is oxycodone with acetaminophen; and Vicodin, which is hydrocodone with acetaminophen, according to the “PDR Guide for Mental Health Professionals”. Muscle relaxants are another type of prescription medications for severe back pain treatment. Some muscle relaxants include Flexeril, which is a brand name for cyclobenzaprine; Lioresal, or baclofen; Skelaxin, or metaloxalone; and Soma, or carisoprodol.
Side Effects
Medications for back pain often have side effects, according to the “PDR Guide for Mental Health Professionals”. The side effects of the NSAIDs include a risk of ulcers and bleeding. Tylenol may cause liver problems if taken in high doses. Advil PM and Tylenol PM may cause drowsiness and cognitive difficulties. Side effects of opioids include constipation, nausea and a risk of addiction. Muscle relaxants may cause drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth and confusion.
Effectiveness
Physicians choose medications that have been shown by research to be effective in treating pain. However, some medicines that work for some people may not work as effectively for others, according to Gatchel. Physicians can recommend other medications to help control back pain if one particular medication is not effective.
References
- “Clinical Essentials of Pain Management”; Robert Gatchel, Ph.D.; 2004.
- “Medical Clinics of North America”; Low Back Pain; Michael Devereaux, MD; March 2009.
- “PDR Drug Guide for Mental Health Professionals, 3rd Edition”; Thomson Reuters; 2007.
