Back Pain Medication: Yes or Not So Much?
Those considering back pain medication should know what their options are. Find out some of the options you have here.
Back pain medication is used to treat the symptoms of pain, not to cure the problem. You may be a pinched nerve, a bulging disc or other muscle problems that is causing the pain. Medications can relieve much of the pain you have, but you should still consult a doctor to determine what the underlying causes are.
From experience, medications can be effective at helping individuals to just get through the day. If you have ever woken up to intense pain that literally cripples you, then you may also know that taking away that pain is the first thing on your mind. Luckily, there are medications that can help.
Over the Counter Back Pain Medication
The first medication relief you have is over the counter medications. There are some products designed specifically for back pain. Acetaminophen is the most common medication used as an over the counter treatment for back pain. A name brand, like Tylenol, can work as well as generics. There are several benefits to this medication. First, it is not habit forming and it does not contain aspirin in it. Doctors may prescriber higher doses, too, as much as 1000 mg every four hours.
Narcotic Pain Medication
Back pain medication prescribed to you may also be narcotic based, which can lead to dependency and therefore should be used only as prescribed. These include:
• Codeine (Tylenol #3)
• Propoxyphene (Darvocet)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• Oxycodone (Oxycontin or Percocet)
Muscle Relaxants
Another option is a muscle relaxant, often given during the early stages of back pain treatment. It is likely only used on a short term basis, usually for the lower back pain. Muscle relaxants include:
• Carisoprodol (Soma)
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Diazepam (Valium)
It is very important that you seek doctor treatment for your back pain if it has gotten to the point where you regularly use over the counter pain relief to treat it. Many of these drugs can be safely used to help minimize or stop back pain. Back pain medication is usually selected by your doctor, depending on the type of pain, location of pain and the underlying cause of the pain.
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