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Medications for Back Pain

Other names: Backache; Degenerative Disc Disease; Pain, back; Slipped Disc

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 1, 2023.

Back pain treatment options depend on the type and cause of the pain. They include:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken by mouth (orally): Examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac, or naproxen (Aleve) to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
  • Topical NSAIDs: such as diclofenac gel or patches
  • Acetaminophen: suitable for those who cannot tolerate NSAIDs or have stomach issues
  • Topical rubs, creams, or salves, such as those that contain methyl salicylate (Arthricare, Exocaine Plus), capsaicin, lidocaine, and menthol (LidoStream, Veltrix), or combinations of these. These deliver pain relief through the skin
  • Combination medications: such as acetaminophen/aspirin
  • Muscle Relaxants: Prescription medications like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) or diazepam may be recommended for certain types of back pain (see skeletal muscle relaxants) but sedation and dizziness are common side effects
  • Neuropathic Drugs: Such as gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, venlafaxine, or tricyclic antidepressants can reduce nerve-related chronic back pain
  • Cortisone Injections: May be considered if oral medications don't improve pain. This involves injecting corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol) around nerves
  • Narcotics (Opioids) (last resort only): Short-term use of opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone should be considered under close supervision as a last resort only if other options are ineffective, but potential side effects and a high risk of addiction exist.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat Back Pain

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
tramadol 6.3 236 reviews for tramadol to treat Back Pain
Rx C 4 X
Generic name:
tramadol systemic
Brand names:
ConZip, Qdolo
Drug class:
Opioids (narcotic analgesics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ibuprofen 6.2 21 reviews for ibuprofen to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Brand names:
Advil, Motrin, Advil Liqui-Gels, Motrin IB, A-G Profen, Addaprin, Genpril, IBU-200, Midol IB, Nuprin, Proprinal
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
naproxen 5.9 106 reviews for naproxen to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Brand names:
Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Aflaxen, Aleve Back and Muscle Pain, All Day Pain Relief, All Day Relief, Anaprox-DS, EC-Naprosyn, Flanax Pain Reliever, Midol Extended Relief
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
acetaminophen / hydrocodone 5.8 428 reviews for acetaminophen / hydrocodone to treat Back Pain
Rx C 2 X
Generic name:
acetaminophen / hydrocodone systemic
Brand name:
Xodol
Drug class:
narcotic analgesic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
diclofenac 7.9 91 reviews for diclofenac to treat Back Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Brand names:
Voltaren, Cataflam, Zipsor, Lofena
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Cymbalta 5.6 52 reviews for Cymbalta to treat Back Pain
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
duloxetine 5.2 73 reviews for duloxetine to treat Back Pain
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Brand names:
Cymbalta, Irenka
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Aleve 6.5 37 reviews for Aleve to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Voltaren 8.7 27 reviews for Voltaren to treat Back Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cataflam 9.0 7 reviews for Cataflam to treat Back Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Advil 3.3 5 reviews for Advil to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
aspirin 8.4 8 reviews for aspirin to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Brand names:
Arthritis Pain, Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin, Ascriptin, Aspergum, Aspiritab, Aspirtab, Bayer Aspirin Extra Strength Plus, Easprin, Ecpirin, Entercote, Genacote, Halfprin, Norwich Aspirin, Vazalore
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Motrin 7.7 3 reviews for Motrin to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Naprosyn 8.2 6 reviews for Naprosyn to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
nabumetone Off-label 5.9 33 reviews for nabumetone to treat Back Pain
Rx C N X
Generic name:
nabumetone systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Arthritis Pain Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Bayer Aspirin 6.3 3 reviews for Bayer Aspirin to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Ecotrin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
gabapentin 8.0 1 review for gabapentin to treat Back Pain
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
acetaminophen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Advil Liqui-Gels 8.0 1 review for Advil Liqui-Gels to treat Back Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ascriptin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aspergum Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aspiritab Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aspirtab Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
aspirin systemic
Drug class:
salicylates, platelet aggregation inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Back Pain

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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