Drugs For Mechanical Back Pain
The first-line treatment for back pain features anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen. These are usually over-the-counter drugs patients try before going to the emergency room, and they typically have a good result. This treatment is effective for short-term relief.
It is interesting to note that acetaminophen and NSAIDs do not work the same way. Patients with back pain can benefit from both at the right doses, but sometimes acetaminophen is insufficient to treat pain symptoms. NSAIDs are better for pain relief when back pain has an inflammatory component. Still, acetaminophen should be preferred because it has a better safety profile in most patients.
Other common drugs to try are skeletal muscle relaxants. They show effectiveness for lower back pain, especially when muscle tension is involved. However, in this case, we have to be very careful with side effects, which may include sedation and a higher risk of falls.
When pain does not respond to the usual treatment, more potent pain-relievers are evaluated. For example, opioids and tramadol. This is only recommended in severe and disabling pain that does not respond to any option mentioned above. They are meant to be used in a time-limited course, and additional caution should be exercised when there’s a risk of addiction.