Can painkillers or muscle relaxants help my lower back pain?
Prescription painkillers (analgesics) or muscle relaxants often help relieve low back pain, but they should be used only for a limited time. The type of medication your doctor or healthcare provider may recommend depends on your symptoms and how uncomfortable you are. Muscle relaxants can be helpful under certain conditions: * Clear evidence exists of muscle spasms. * Other treatments have not worked. Prescription pain killers should be used early during an episode of back pain and only for short-term pain relief. For most people, medications work well to control pain and discomfort, but any medicine can have side effects. For example, some people cannot take aspirin or ibuprofen because these drugs can cause stomach irritation and even ulcers. Many medications prescribed for low back pain can make people feel drowsy. Such pain medications should not be taken if you need to drive or use heavy equipment. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of an
