Back Pain Relief Medications Explained

by Sheila Ffloyd

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.

Fortunately, many treatment options are available for those suffering the rigors of back pain. In addition to medications, physical therapy and exercise are viable options to bring relief from back pain.

Many back pain medications can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription. These drugs can be helpful in relieving the pain and addressing several of the symptoms related to episodes of back pain. In addition to the non-prescription choices, other back pain medications are available only under a doctor’s prescription.

Acetaminophen

Among the most popular types of over-the-counter back pain medications, acetaminophens are pain-relieving drugs that switch off the brain’s pain perception. Unlike other back pain medications, acetaminophens do not offer anti-inflammatory benefits in addition to painkilling properties.

Many people will take the usual dosage of up to 1000 mg, every four hours, to relieve their back pain. Do not exceed 4000 mg within a twenty-four hour period. Acetaminophens act quickly, making them among the most common pain relief choices.

People who use acetaminophens enjoy other benefits, in addition to relief from pain:

* Allergies to this type of medication are not common

* Side effects are few

* 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

Common NSAIDs

Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs, are another classification of commonly used, over-the-counter back pain medications. Inflammation is a contributing factor in many of the painful episodes that patients encounter, so the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs are especially helpful. Like aspirin, NSAIDs provide back pain relief by limiting the formation of inflammation. Unlike aspirin, however, there are fewer gastrointestinal side effects.

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

Prescription 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 dissociative 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 can be a symptom of a more serious underlying disease. If your back pain lasts for more than a couple of weeks, or if the pain is too severe for over-the-counter medications, see your doctor. With a doctor’s proper diagnosis, you’ll be better prepared to find a treatment that brings relief from your back pain.

About the Author:

Columnist Sheila Ffloyd is a contributor to numerous popular web magazines, and you can see more of her work if you visit this site and click here.