OTC Medications

Look around, pretty much everyone you know will at some point have to deal with sort of back pain, whether it is from a sprain or strain in the muscles or ligaments of the back or due to age related issues; it happens to almost all of us , it is just a matter of time. When your back pain first happens most people will attempt to reduce their pain with simple over the counter oral medications. There are few types you can use, but they can either reduce pain and inflammation or just reduce the pain. What you choose is up to you and what works best for your situation. By far the most popular medication that is used if there is pain and inflammation are NSAID’s, this stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some of the NSAID’s you can use are: Aspirin The active ingredient is acetylsalicylic acid. It can be used to relieve aches and pains, reduce fever and reduce inflammation. This drug has an added benefit of preventing heart disease also. Common side effects to this medication are heartburn, nausea and upset stomach. Aleve The active ingredient in this is Naproxen. It can be used to reduce pain, inflammation and fever. Common side effects are upset stomach, stomach pain, heartburn, bloating and gas, headaches, dizziness, constipation, skin rashes, blurred vision and a ringing in your ears. Motrin, Advil, Nuprin The active ingredient in these medications is ibuprofen. It is used to reduce pain, inflammation and fever. Side effects can include the following - nausea, upset stomach and indigestion, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. Another medication that is often used for back pain but has no anti-inflammatory benefits is acetaminophen. Tylenol The active ingredient in this medication is of course acetaminophen. It can be used to relieve pain, reduce fever and relive symptoms due to allergies, coughs and colds and the flu. Side effects to this medication may be stomach pains, liver failure, fever, nausea, dark colored urine, clay colored stools and jaundice. What type of medication you choose to use for your back pain is really up to you, also keep in mind that it may take some trial and error before you find a medication that works best for you. If over the counter medications are not helping to relieve your pain you may need to consult with your doctor to see if it would be possible for you to take more than a normal dose or if you require an Rx prescription. If your pain is particularly severe from the beginning you may need to resort to prescription medications or narcotics before even attempting to use over the counter medications. Medication combined with stretching or massage will help to alleviate most back pains and they usually start to go away within a week, or at least lessen in severity. If your pain is lasting longer then this, or your pain is increasing in severity you should always consult with a doctor. *Note* if your back pain occurred as a result of a fall or accident you should consult with a doctor as soon as possible.