Back Pain Relief Medications Explained PDF  | Print |  E-mail
A staggering eighty percent of the American population suffers from back pain.  There is no question that this type of pain is big business, with desperate patients buying up new pain remedies as quickly as the pharmaceutical companies can churn them out.  There are countless remedies available, and it can be difficult to know which ones are best for delivering the back pain relief you need.

When it comes to the most frequently occurring painful conditions that affect adults 30 and over, back pain is second only to headaches. The condition is so common that four out of five people will develop or are already experiencing back pain.

The good news is that there are several treatment options available for those suffering the rigors of back pain.  Physical therapy, exercise and medications are all viable choices for bringing back pain relief.

There are many back pain medications that can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription. These drugs can be helpful in relieving the pain, as well as addressing several of the symptoms related to episodes of back pain. In addition to non-prescription drugs, other back pain medications are available only when prescribed by a doctor.

Acetaminophen


One of the main types of over-the-counter back pain medications, acetaminophen is a pain-relieving drug that acts by switching off the brain's pain perception.  It is unlike other back pain medications, which offer anti-inflammatory benefits in addition to painkilling properties.

A common dosage for back pain relief is up to 1000 mg taken every four hours, provided that you do not exceed more than 4000 mg within twenty-four hours.  These types of drugs are among the most popular, because of their ability to act quickly in providing back pain relief.

There are many other benefits to taking acetaminophen for back pain relief:

* Few patients are allergic to this type of medication
* There are few side effects
* There is no danger of addiction
* The tolerance level of patients is quite slow to develop, even with extended use, so the drug holds its pain-relieving     effects for a longer period of time

NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs)


Another classification of commonly used, over-the-counter back pain medication is NSAIDs.  Since inflammation is a contributing factor in many of the painful episodes that patients encounter, the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs are especially helpful.  Working like aspirin, NSAIDs bring back pain relief by limiting the formation of inflammation.  However, unlike aspirin, there are fewer gastrointestinal side effects.

Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and COX-2 Inhibitors are popular choices within the NSAID drug category.

Narcotics


In cases of severe back pain, particularly in the lower back, doctors will often prescribe narcotics.  For obvious reasons, narcotic drugs are only available with a doctor's prescription.  These medications are highly addictive and extremely potent.

Narcotic pain medications are disassociative in nature, meaning they don't actually deaden the pain.  Instead, the drugs disassociate the patient from the feeling of pain.  Codeine, propoxyphene, hydrocodone and oxycodone are all types of narcotic medications prescribed to bring back pain relief.

Chronic back pain is often a symptom of a more serious underlying disease.  See your doctor if you suffer from back pain for more than a couple of weeks, or if the pain is too severe for over-the-counter medications.  By having a doctor determine the cause of your pain, you'll be better prepared to find a treatment that will provide back pain relief.
 
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