Medication is usually the first line of treatment when dealing with back pain. Most people usually take over-the-counter pain medication when they first experience back pain. Researches have shown that 90% of all back pain can be managed with acetaminophen and NSAIDs. NSAIDs and acetaminophen are usually used for short-term back pains. However, for chronic back pains your doctor might put you on opioids or adjuvant medications.
Over-the-counter back pain medication can be categorized into two types- non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. NSAIDs are a group of drugs that relieve pain and also reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, helps reduce pain but does not reduce inflammation.
One cannot say that there is one right NSAIDs or acetaminophen for pain. You might have to try several of them before you find the one that works for your back pain. When you are taking a pain medication, it is important to understand that some of these medications have side effects.
Aspirin
It is an NSAID that is quite effective in reducing pain and inflammation in the back. Aspirin works by stopping the production of prostaglandins, which are short lived chemicals in the body that cause pain and inflammation. In very rare cases, Aspirin can have very serious fallouts. Stomach and cardiovascular problems are some of the side effects associated with Aspirin. If you are going to take Aspirin, you should follow the instructions about storage and dosage.
Tylenol
Tylenol is an acetaminophen. It is a commonly used pain reliever. It is used for short-term relief from mild back pain. It is quite effective in muscle-related back pain and/or arthritis. It works by reducing the amount of brain chemical that sends pain signals. The problem with this medication is its overdose, which can result in serious liver damage. Moreover, those who consume a lot of alcohol or have liver problems should always be careful with Tylenol.
Advil, Nuprin, Motrin - Ibuprofen
Advil, Nuprin and Motrin all contain Ibuprofen as the main ingredient. Ibuprofen is a NSAID that is helpful in reducing pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness in people suffering from back pain and arthritis. Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins and thereby helping reduce pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen can cause stomach and cardiovascular problems; therefore, you should know how much to take and when to stop taking it.
Aleve
Aleve is another NSAID often taken to relieve pain and inflammation in back pain cases. Naproxen is the active ingredient in Aleve. Naproxen has proven to be quite effective in reducing pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness in people suffering from inflammatory or non-inflammatory arthritis. People with back pain have been using Aleve to relieve muscle strain and pain. This medication also works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. Like other NSAIDs, Aleve can also cause stomach and cardiovascular problems.
As mentioned earlier there is no one effective over-the-counter medication for back pain. Furthermore, what might work for you, might not work for someone else. Therefore, determining the right back pain medicine might involve trial and error. When taking a back pain medication, you have to keep in mind its fall outs. It is best to talk to your doctor about the side effects before you start taking the medication.
For chronic back pain, over-the-counter medication is not going to work. Doctors usually prescribe opioids or adjuvant medications to deal with chronic back pain. Opioids are a class of drugs that are used for pain management. They have a very strong analgesic effect. Morphene is a commonly used opioid.
Doctor’s advice should always be sought if you are dealing with chronic back pain. Moreover, if you are starting to experience back pain frequently, it is best to see a doctor. One should never ignore back pain.