Lower back paincan affect one’s ability to move comfortably and function throughout the day.
Medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, are available to manage pain and provide relief.
The bang out of lower back pain you’re experiencing may affect your treatment.
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This article will discuss common medication options for lower back pain relief.
you could buy them at most stores without a prescription.
OTC medicines include certain drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) andTylenol (acetaminophen).
Examples of OTCNSAIDsare Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen sodium).
Topical Medications for Low Back Pain
Topical medications are also available for pain relief.
These products come in gels, creams, and patches applied to the skin.
Topical medications can also often be used with oral medications.
It is taken by mouth every four to six hours and can help relieve minor pain and reduce fever.
Tylenol isn’t an opioidit’s a different kind of pain reliever.
It can be beneficial for managing acute pain because it has few side effects.
Tylenol helps with pain by stopping the body from making certain chemicals that cause pain and fever.
By doing this, Tylenol makes pain and fever go down.
It also works in the brain.
It’s also used for joint pain in the hands or knees (osteoarthritis) andrheumatoid arthritis.
And it’s often used to lower fevers in adults and children.
This risk is increased with higher doses and longer durations of use.
If you have a history of heart problems, NSAIDs may not be the right choice for you.
NSAIDs can also causeulcersor bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
This risk is higher for people who are older, smoke, or drink large amounts of alcohol.
This means they could be a suitable option if you’re experiencing lower back pain.
NSAIDs come in different forms, like tablets, creams, and gels.
NSAID medicines work by lowering swelling and relieving inflammation.
Some examples areAdvil,Motrin(ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and Bayer (aspirin).
They all help by stopping the body from making certain compounds that cause pain and swelling.
Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxantshelp ease lower back pain from muscle spasms.
This helps reduce pain and improve movement.
Some examples of skeletal muscle relaxants are baclofen, Zanaflex (tizanidine), and Robaxin (methocarbamol).
You might take muscle relaxants for sudden back pain, sprains, or conditions like fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis.
They can ease muscle spasms and help manage pain better for sudden back pain.
In conditions like fibromyalgia, they can ease muscle pain.
But usually, they’re part of a plan that includes other things like exercise or physical therapy.
NSAIDs
Prescription-strength NSAIDsare available to help manage pain that is too severe to treat with OTC medications.
For this reason, healthcare providers usually only prescribe them when other pain relievers aren’t enough.
Some examples of commonly used opioids include morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
Opioids are helpful for managing severe pain, like after surgery or injuries.
They have some side effects related to them.
Common side effects are:
Opioids don’t mix well with certain drugs, likebenzodiazepines.
The combination can make you more tired or slow your breathing to the point of respiratory depression.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the safety considerations and potential drug interactions with opioids before starting treatment.
SNRIs work by blocking the reabsorption of two chemicals in the brain calledserotoninandnorepinephrine, which helps with mood.
For example, Cymbalta, a throw in of SNRI, is used to treatnerve pain related to diabetes.
Common side effects related to SNRIs are:
TCAs work by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
Also, combining them with other medications that affect serotonin levels can cause a serious condition calledserotonin syndrome.
You should also contact your prescriber, as abruptly stopping a medication like duloxetinecan be dangerous.
Using ice or heat, massages,acupuncture, or spine adjustments are good options for lower back pain.
For chronic pain, exercises for the mind and body, likeyogaor tai chi, may be helpful.
OTC medications can help with short-term pain and are often used first.
Each of these medications works differently and has its place in pain treatment.
Everyone responds differently to pain and pain medications.
For this reason, work closely with your provider to determine the right treatment path for you.
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DailyMed.Label: Tylenol regular strength- acetaminophen tablet.
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