Medications
Medication may prescribed alone or in conjunction with other therapies or surgery. Medications your doctor may prescribe:
NSAIDS
NSAIDS are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that block enzymes that promote pain, inflammation and fever. Some require a prescription; some do not. The most commonly used NSAIDS are:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Motrin IB)
- Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
- Nabumetone (Relafen)
Cortisone
Many conditions where inflammation is an underlying problem are amenable to cortisone shots. These medications decrease inflammation, provide energy, and aid the body in tissue repair. When pain is decreased from cortisone it is because the inflammation is diminished. Cortisone can be injected, taken orally or applied topically.
By injecting the cortisone into a particular area of inflammation, very high concentrations of the medication can be given while keeping potential side-effects to a minimum. Cortisone injections usually work within a few days, and the effects can last up to several weeks.
The most commonly prescribed corticosteroid medications are cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone. Corticosteroid medications should only be prescribed by a medical professional, and the patient should be monitored carefully.
Muscle Relaxants
When muscle spasms (rapid involuntary contractions of the muscle) accompany back or bone pain, doctors often prescribe muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants include a variety of drugs that have an overall sedative effect on the body. Muscle relaxants are typically prescribed early in treatment. They are usually taken on a short-term basis.
Common muscle relaxants include:
- Carisoprodol (Soma)
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Diazepam (Valium)
Narcotic Drugs
In severe cases of pain, narcotics may be prescribed. These are strong and potentially addictive drugs. They should be given only by a doctor.
Commonly prescribed narcotic pain medications include:
- Codeine (Tylenol 3®)
- Propoxyphene (Darvocet®)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
- Oxycodone (Percocet®, Oxycontin®)
Narcotics are most effective in treating pain when used for a short time - up to two weeks. After that, the body quickly builds up a natural tolerance to the drug, and the drug becomes less effective.
It is important for your doctor to monitor you while taking these drugs. Be sure to report any unusual symptoms to your doctor right away.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).