...A sub-index of the Chronic back pain article index
In-depth information on back pain medications for various back problems and pain management, including NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors such as Bextra and Celebrex and antidepressants
Ultram Pain Reliever
Updated January 10, 2007
There is a new type of non-narcotic
oral pain medication that can be prescribed to treat
low back pain. Non-narcotic pain medications such as
Ultram (tramadol) are often a good option for treatment
of low back pain because patients do not build up a tolerance
with extended usage and there is a very low incidence
of addiction. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Osteoporosis medications
August 29, 2006
Several FDA-approved
medications are available
to both manage and prevent osteoporosis. The
choice of osteoporosis medication is based on several
factors, including the patient’s gender and the
type of osteoporosis. Read
more...
By: Scott Boden, MD
Pain
killer addiction treatment
August 14, 2006
When patients take narcotic pain killers to avoid the withdrawal symptoms, rather
than to treat the pain that caused them to take the medicine initially, the patient
is considered to be addicted. Rapid opiate detoxification programs, such as Accelerated
Opiate Neuro-regulation, can help patients through the withdrawal process in
a manner that is relatively brief, safe, and with a minimum of withdrawal symptoms. Read
more...
By: Clifford A. Bernstein, MD
Pain management
for degenerative disc disease
June 7, 2000 (updated
May 2, 2006)
There are several back pain medications that can be effective for pain management
with degenerative disc disease, including over-the-counter pain medications such
as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatories and narcotic pain relievers. Other non-surgical
treatments may also be helpful for patients with degenerative disc disease. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Sciatica treatments
March 30, 2000 (updated September
22, 2006)
Most cases of sciatica heal on their own within 6 to 12 weeks. There are several
conservative care options for helping alleviate the pain and discomfort associated
with sciatica, including heat/ice, medications, and epidural steroid injections.
For more severe cases of sciatica, surgery may be considered. Read
more...
By: Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD
Insomnia medications – non
prescription
August 23, 2005
For chronic pain patients whose insomnia does not respond
adequately to behavioral techniques, insomnia medications can work quite
well in improving sleep. There are several non prescription sleep aids,
including herbal remedies, available. Read
more…
By: William W. Deardorff, PhD, ABPP
Sleep medications by prescription
August 23, 2005
Medications for insomnia can be quite effective, but
should really be considered a “last resort” after behavioral
techniques have been exhausted due to their risks and side effects. There
are several prescription sleep aids available, including sedative-hypnotic
drugs and sedating antidepressants, with certain pros and cons. Read
more…
By: William W. Deardorff, PhD, ABPP
Spinal
arthritis medications
May 25, 2005
Patients with spinal arthritis have several options for medications to control
the pain. Among other factors, the level of the patient’s pain and
the potential side effects of the medication must be considered. Potential
medications for managing spinal arthritis symptoms include: acetaminophen,
topical analgesics, NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, cortisone injections, and nutritional
supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Read
more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
FDA
advisory on Bextra, Celebrex and other NSAIDs
May 16, 2005
Recent FDA reviews have resulted in the
withdrawal of Bextra, commonly used for arthritis
and back pain, and stronger label warnings for
Celebrex and other NSAIDs. Further investigation
is in process on specific brands or pain medication
as not all NSAIDs carry the same risks. Read
more...
By: Doug Hendricks, MD
COX-2 inhibitors: Celebrex and Bextra information
October 7, 2003 (Updated March 23, 2005)
Due to the new label warnings for Bextra and recent concerns about COX-2 inhibitor health risks, it’s especially important for patients to follow Celebrex and Bextra usage recommendations and know when to consult a physician. This article clearly explains the known side effects of Celebrex and Bextra as well as the important new guidelines from the FDA. Read more...
By: Donald Frisco, MD
Celebrex - COX-2 inhibitor
October 7, 2003 (Updated March 23, 2005)
Celebrex (chemical name celecoxib) is a COX-2 inhibitor drug commonly prescribed for arthritis and other types of back pain. Celebrex works by reducing inflammation, which often is a component of back pain and neck pain. This article gives specific information about safe use of Celebrex, including dosage, potential side effects and precautions for taking the COX-2 inhibitor. Read more...
By: Donald Frisco, MD
NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
October 1999 (Updated March 2, 2005)
Because most episodes of back pain have an inflammatory component, anti-inflammatory medication is often an effective treatment option. NSAIDs work like aspirin by limiting the formation of inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors are a new kind of NSAIDs that are available for arthritis pain and other types of back pain. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Understanding COX-2 inhibitor side effects
February 9, 2005
Following the Vioxx recall, the FDA issued a new advisory for physicians prescribing
Celebrex, Bextra and other NSAIDs to their patients. This article summarizes
the recent study findings and FDA recommendations regarding COX-2 inhibitors
and naproxen, and provides several guidelines for safe use of these medications
for arthritis and back pain. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Safe use of COX-2 inhibitors and other NSAIDs:
February 9, 2005
In light of new information about health risks associated with COX-2 inhibitors
and some other NSAIDs, treatment options will vary from patient to patient
based on individual risk factors, treatment needs and past experiences taking
NSAIDs. Patients are recommended to meet with a physician to determine the
safest and most effective arthritis and back pain medications. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Vioxx recall
and recommendations
January 31, 2005
Since the voluntary recall of Vioxx, a brand of COX-2 inhibitor commonly prescribed
for arthritis and different types of back pain, many patients have concerns about
other brands of COX-2 inhibitors such as Bextra and Celebrex. This article explains
the events that led to the Vioxx recall and outlines the current FDA recommendations
for patients using COX-2 inhibitors and other NSAIDs. Read
more...
By: Gunnar B.J. Andersson, MD, PhD
Pain
management techniques
October 24, 2001
Pain relievers, back pain medications
and related drugs are used at every stage of the medical
treatment of back pain, from the initial onset of acute
pain to facilitation of rehabilitation, treatment of
chronic back pain and alleviation of pain in cases of
failed back surgery. Read
more...
By: John Revord, MD
Pain
medications for neuropathic pain
June 27, 2001
Given the intense nature of neuropathic pain, back
pain medications are frequently a first line of
treatment. However, finding an effective neuropathic
back pain medication takes a trial and error approach
and can at times be frustrating to both the patient
and the doctor. In addition, the side effects of
many neuropathic pain medications can be problematic. Read
more...
By: Ralph F. Rashbaum, MD
COX-2 inhibitors - Celebrex
December 1999
COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex represent a significant advancement in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment for pain because, while they are as efficacious as older NSAIDs, they have far less risk of side effects (such as blood thinning or stomach ulceration). Read more...
By: Alan J. Bridges, MD
Acetaminophen
October 1999
Acetaminophen is probably the single
most effective non-prescription medication for low back
pain and has the fewest side affects. Tylenol is an example
of a well-known pain medication that has acetaminophen
as its active ingredient. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Muscle
relaxants
October 1999
Muscle relaxants are not really a
class of drugs, but rather a group of different drugs
that each has an overall sedative effect on the body.
These medications do not act directly on the muscles,
rather they act centrally (in the brain) and are more
of a total body relaxant. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Narcotic
pain medications
October 1999
For severe episodes of low back pain,
narcotic medications may be prescribed. Narcotic pain
medications are strong and potentially addictive forms
of medication and should only be administered by a physician.
Narcotic medications do not actually deaden the pain,
but work to dissociate patients from the pain. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Back-to-Back: Chronic back pain management
In this section, patients share their advice and strategies for chronic back pain management, such as emotional support, medications, gentle exercise and injections. The Back-to-Back section helps patients with chronic back pain learn from the experiences of others. Read more...
Back Pain Radio transcript: managing stress, depression and chronic back pain
April 19, 2005
What many patients don’t realize is that stress, chronic pain and depression
are interrelated and need to be treated simultaneously by a multi-disciplinary
team of health professionals. William Deardorff, M.D., a clinical health psychologist
in California and Contributing Author for Spine-heatlh.com and Grant Cooper,
MD, host of Back Pain Radio, discuss chronic pain and depression on the April
11, 2005 radio show. Read transcript…
Are your medications making you sick? – Spine-health.com Newsletter
While the recent media attention to certain drugs (such as COX-2 inhibitors
and other NSAIDs) has raised a red flag for many patients, the sometimes
misleading or contradictory headlines have also created confusion and unnecessary
fear for many. This newsletter explains some of the potential side effects
and risks of several commonly used drugs for back pain, including COX-2 inhibitors,
other NSAIDs, acetaminophen and anti-depressants. Read
more...
First aid for your back - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Even if the pain is severe, episodes of back pain—and pain from
ongoing back conditions - can be somewhat relieved with some first aid methods
you can do at home. Some combination of the following treatments (for example,
heat therapy, back pain medication, gentle stretching and exercise) is usually
recommended to help alleviate or at least manage the back pain. Read
more...
Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from the experiences of others and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
