Analgesics such as Paracetamol may be useful in relieving the discomfort of back pain, but the maximum dose is 4 g daily. Anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen can be used when there is strong pain and there is inflammation but you should not ingest more than 1.2 g per day.
Low back pain, also known as lumbar pain is characterized by causing pain with or without stiffness between the region at the end of the ribs and the buttocks. It can be: acute when the symptoms appear suddenly and in a short time, it gets better without the need for treatment; or chronic when the symptoms remain for weeks or months.
Pregabalin or Gabapentin are medications used to reduce nerve pain.
The medication treatment that helps to relieve low back pain includes:
Tablets or injections
The tablets act systemically, relieving symptoms but generally have side effects and should not be taken without medical guidance. In addition to the classic Paracetamol and Ibuprofen, which are more suitable for mild or moderate pain, the doctor may also prescribe a combination of the drugs Pregabalin and Celecoxib that is quite effective in eliminating severe pain, related to peripheral nerves.
Muscle relaxants such as Carisoprodol and can also be used against low back pain.
When the back pain is very intense and there are signs of sciatic nerve compression such as pain in the form of burning, inability to sit or walk, when it seems that the spine is stuck, the doctor can prescribe these medications in the form of injections, as well as Vitamin B6 to fight the symptoms.
These injections can be used for 7 days and during that period the pain must be controlled or eliminated. However, after an episode of that it is important to do exams such as X-rays or MRI to evaluate the spine and initiate physiotherapy to treat the cause of low back pain.
Patches and ointments
Patches or adhesives as well as ointments such as Diclofenac can be used and do not need a medical prescription to be purchased, being easily accessible. They can relieve symptoms in a few hours and are usually the first options to fight back pain but are only effective in fighting mild or moderate pain.
