8 best back pain pills

Back pain is a condition that almost every person has experienced at least once in their life, who has lived to middle age. According to doctors, a third of patients coming to the reception, complain about this problem. Most often, this pain is not caused by any specific changes in the body - if everyone used to write off “osteochondrosis”, that is, age-related changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, then as MRI spread, it turned out that protrusions and even herniated discs are common , and their severity is not related to the intensity of pain. Asymptomatic protrusions — tears of the lining of the disc into which the nucleus bulges out — are found in more than a third of people aged 25 to 49 years and in 100% of people over 60 years old.

Despite this, age-related degenerative changes are still considered to be one of the causes that can cause back pain. But besides them, other factors play a role:

1. microtraumas of the musculoskeletal structures,
2. impaired muscle tone and fascias (dense muscle membranes),
3. increased sensitivity of the nervous system to pain,
4. violation of the anatomical relationships of the structural elements of the vertebral motor segment (hypermobility, instability of the joints, change in the distance between the vertebrae due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, etc .;
5. biomechanical disorders (poor posture, prolonged forced position, leading to residual muscle deformation);
6. damage to the nerve or spine due to injury, compression (compression) or ischemia (circulatory failure).

As you can see, there may be many reasons for back pain that does not threaten health and life. Therefore, for the classification of ICD-10 diagnoses, a special category called “Dorsalgia” (M54) has been allocated for it.

We included in the ranking the best pills for back pain and remedies that are aimed at eliminating pain, and drugs that help restore normal metabolism in the spinal structures, nerves, and back muscles.

Attention! The material is not a guide to buying, advertising. Before use, consultation with a specialist is required.

Top Back Pain Pill Rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best painkillers	1	Paracetamol	39 ₽
	2	Diclofenac	24 ₽
	3	Celecoxib	168 ₽
The best pills that reduce muscle tone	1	Flupirtine	390 ₽
	2	Tizanidine	240 ₽
	3	Gabapentin	724 ₽
The best pills that restore metabolism in paravertebral structures	1	Vitamins of group B	480 ₽
	2	Glucosamine + Chondroitin Sulfate	342 ₽

The best painkillers

These drugs are usually prescribed courses lasting up to two weeks with exacerbation of pain and cancel after the intensity of the pain decreases. In severe cases, the course of treatment may be longer, but without the advice of a doctor you should not prolong therapy yourself: the longer the course, the higher the likelihood of side effects.

Paracetamol

Rating: 4.8

These pills are better known as antipyretic, but, referring to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, they can also reduce pain, swelling, and reduce inflammation in case of microtraumas. Therefore, most clinical recommendations for the treatment of back pain offer them as a starting therapy. If the dosage recommended in the instructions is observed, paracetamol is safe, and the analgesic effect is sufficient for most ordinary cases. Adults need to take medicine 3 - 4 times a day at 0.5 - 1 gram after a meal, drinking plenty of water. In no case should not exceed the maximum dose specified by the instruction of 4 grams per day, as this can lead to severe liver damage. Other side effects include allergic manifestations, blood composition disorders, nausea, dizziness.

Paracetamol can never be combined with alcohol intake. - This increases the likelihood of toxic liver damage.

Diclofenac

Rating: 4.7

Another time-tested drug that not only reduces pain, but also reduces inflammation. The low price makes diclofenac affordable for every wallet. The prolonged form (diclofenac 100 mg) allows you to take the medicine once a day.

Available in tablets of 50 and 100 mg, the maximum daily dose - 150 mg.

The optimal course duration is up to a week, since with prolonged use the drug contributes to the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Diclofenac, like most other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blocks the production of substances that support inflammation, and are close to them in chemical composition of substances that support the regeneration of mucosal cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, such a side effect as a medicinal ulcer does not depend on the method of administration (in pills or injections), the use of the drug before or after a meal, because the problem is in the mechanism of action of the drug. To protect the gastric mucosa in situations where diclofenac should be taken for more than a week, the doctor may recommend drugs from the group of proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole or lansoprazole, which reduce the synthesis of hydrochloric acid and reduce the aggressiveness of the environment in the stomach.

Diclofenac is contraindicated:

1. with reduced blood clotting,
2. severe hepatic and renal failure,
3. stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease,
4. in the last trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding,
5. children under 15 years old.

Celecoxib

Rating: 4.6

Trade names: Celebrex, Dilax.

It belongs to the class of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors, that is, unlike the previous generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, reduces the synthesis of substances that promote inflammation, but not substances that regulate the protection of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract from the aggressive environment and the regeneration of mucosal cells. The safety of celecoxib for the gastrointestinal tract has been proven by numerous studies.

On the other hand, celecoxib contributes to fluid retention in the body, which can lead to an uncontrolled increase in blood pressure in patients with existing hypertension, and its effect on the blood coagulation system can cause deterioration in people with confirmed coronary heart disease and cardiovascular failure. Therefore, celecoxib is contraindicated in patients with hypertension. CHD, cardiovascular insufficiency.The safety of use has not been studied in pregnant women, persons under 18 years of age, and in severe lesions of the liver and kidneys.

Available in tablets of 100 and 200 mg.

The recommended dosage is 100 - 200 mg 1 - 2 times a day, the maximum daily dose is 400 mg.

By prescription.

The best pills that reduce muscle tone

We have already mentioned that often the cause of back pain is an imbalance of muscle tone, caused by an incorrect posture, a long forced position (at the computer, at the wheel, in a half-slope, etc.). In such cases, doctors may recommend pills that reduce muscle tone - muscle relaxants of central action. By relaxing overstrained muscles, such drugs reduce pain. Often prescribed and in order to enhance the effect of the tablets mentioned in the previous section of the rating - diclofenac, paracetamol and the like. The combined effect allows to reduce the dosages of both groups of drugs, and the lower the dose, the less the likelihood of adverse events.

Flupirtine

Rating: 4.4

Trade names: Katadolon, Neurodolon.

Combines the properties of non-narcotic analgesic and muscle relaxant. On the one hand, it reduces pain, acting on the corresponding centers in the brain, on the other, it relaxes overly tense muscles. Due to the action on the central nervous system, it reduces the "mood" to pain, which prevents the transition of pain to a chronic form, and if chronicity has already occurred, it "erases" pain memory, reducing sensitivity to unpleasant sensations. Does not cause addiction, does not damage the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, has no restrictions on the duration of therapy.

On the other hand, it is not recommended for people driving a car, as it can cause muscle weakness, drowsiness, and dizziness at the beginning of the course. Dramatically increases the effect of alcohol, therefore it is not recommended to combine reception of flupitrin and drinking alcohol. It is not necessary to combine flupitrin with paracetamol - this combination enhances the toxic effect of drugs on the liver.

Usually, 100 mg 3 times a day is prescribed, with very severe pain, 200 mg 3 times a day is allowed, but not more.

Contraindicated in children, pregnant and lactating, with severe liver failure, alcoholism.

Prescription.

Tizanidine

Rating: 4.3

Trade Names: Sirdalud, Tizanil

Reduces excessive muscle tension, relieves painful muscle spasms in spinal pathologies, such as spondylosis, osteochondrosis, cervical or lumbar syndrome. It has a sedative (sedative) effect, when combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it has a moderate gastroprotective effect, that is, it protects the stomach wall from the formation of medicinal ulcers.

On the other hand, blood pressure can be excessively lowered, and with abrupt cancellation, on the contrary, it can cause a sharp surge in blood pressure, therefore, when there is no need to take the medicine anymore, the dose should be reduced gradually. Due to the ability to cause drowsiness and dizziness, it is not recommended for people driving a car or working where fast response is needed.

The recommended dosage of 2 to 4 mg 3 times a day. With the ineffectiveness of the dosage can be increased, the maximum allowable - 36 mg per day.

Do not use simultaneously with the antidepressant fluvoxamine, the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.

Contraindicated at the age of 18 years, pregnant and during breastfeeding, with severe liver disease.

By prescription.

Gabapentin

Rating: 4.2

Trade names: Tebantin, Convalis, Katena.

This drug was originally created to prevent attacks of epilepsy, but found its use in the treatment of chronic pain, including back pain. This is due to the fact that the agent acts on the nerve centers and regulates the balance of biologically active substances that are “responsible” for pain sensitivity. In relation to dorsalgia, gabapentin has best proven itself in the treatment of so-called neuropathic, "radicular" pain. These are sharp shooting pains caused by the compression of the spinal roots, often “moving away” along the legs or arms.

Gabapentin is usually prescribed not as an independent drug, but in combination with celecoxib, diclofenac and similar tablets. Drugs mutually enhance the effect of each other, due to this, you can reduce the dosage and, as a consequence, the severity of side effects.

It is recommended to start with 300 mg (1 tablet per day), on the second day the dosage should be increased to 600 mg (2 tablets per day), by 3 to 900 mg. With inefficiency, you can continue to increase the dosage to the maximum allowable 3600 mg (12 tablets) per day.

Like any potent drug, gabapentin can cause undesirable effects: changes in blood pressure (both rising and falling), headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, edema.

Not recommended for persons under 18 years, the safety of use in pregnant women and breastfeeding is not installed.

By prescription.

The best pills that restore metabolism in paravertebral structures

Despite the fact that age-related degenerative changes in the spine do not always manifest pain, we cannot say that they do not contribute to the appearance of back pain. Therefore, when dorsalgia often recommend drugs that help restore the cartilage of the intervertebral discs. Another area of ​​therapy is the restoration of microcirculation in spasmodic muscles and vitamins that contribute to the improvement of metabolism in the nervous tissue. We will talk about these groups of drugs in this section of our rating.

Vitamins of group B

Rating: 4.1

Trade names: Milgamma Compositum, Combilipen.

These products contain vitamins B1, B6 and B12. This combination has an analgesic effect. In addition, such a complex of vitamins is able to enhance the analgesic effect of anti-inflammatory drugs and reduce the need for them.

The combination of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 works in several directions:

1. helps to restore nerve fibers
2. reduces the activity of inflammation,
3. restores the function of nerve cells
4. restores the activity of the body’s own anti-pain (antinociceptive) system.

A feature of vitamin complexes created for the treatment of back pain is a special, fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 - benfotiamine. It is absorbed 8 to 10 times better than ordinary water-soluble vitamin B1.

The recommended dosage is from 1 to 3 tablets of Milgamma Compositum or Combibipen per day. Usually it is proposed to take 1 to 2 weeks, 3 tablets each, in order to saturate the body with vitamins, and then use lower dosages for 1 to 2 months.

Vitamin complexes have practically no contraindications, with the exception of the already known individual intolerance. They are not recommended during pregnancy as it is impossible to investigate their safety for the fetus for obvious reasons.

Glucosamine + Chondroitin Sulfate

Rating: 3.8

Trade names: Teraflex, Artra KordraNova, Glucosamine & Chondroitin.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are often sold separately. but provide maximum efficiency in the complex. These substances slow down the destruction of cartilage and contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue, including intervertebral disc tissue. In addition, they reduce inflammation and thereby reduce the intensity of pain - but this effect can only be noticed after 2 - 3 weeks of daily use. The funds are designed for long-term use: the recommended duration of the course is 3 to 6 months and it is desirable to repeat the therapy at least once a year. If you follow the scheme, the drug prevents the recurrence of pain, so most often it is used not in the active phase of the disease, but to prevent exacerbations.

Glucosamine with chondroitin is usually well tolerated, but can cause allergic reactions and unpleasant sensations in the stomach area, which disappear after reducing the dosage.

The tool is contraindicated in severe renal impairment. The safety of use in pregnant women has not been studied.

When back pain is dangerous

It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible if:

1. back pain first appeared in a person under 18 or over 55;
2. pain is not associated with movement,
3. lying down doesn't get any easier
4. some time before the onset of pain there was a back or spinal injury;
5. back pain is accompanied by fever,
6. pain intensity is constantly increasing
7. the night is not getting any easier
8. a person is losing weight without reason,
9. spinal deformity appeared,
10. weakness or numbness in the legs,
11. disturbed urination.

Most often, back pain, although it delivers many unpleasant moments, but does not pose a danger to life. But the listed symptoms may indicate a serious illness, when back pain is just a symptom of other, more dangerous conditions.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.