Low Back Pain Attacks: One Pill may be enough

A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association examined the efficacy of adding muscle relaxers or narcotic pain relievers to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen (Aleve) for individuals seeking help for severe low back pain in an emergency room setting. The research involved 320 participants, and none exhibited symptoms indicative of disk-related back pain. All were advised to take naproxen for 10 days and were randomly assigned to add one of three additional pills: the muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), the narcotic pain reliever oxycodone (Percocet), or a placebo.

After three months, most participants showed improvement, but about a quarter still reported moderate or severe pain and continued medication use. The study concluded that there was no significant difference in outcomes between the three groups, suggesting that adding Flexeril or Percocet did not enhance results. Additionally, these medications come with extra costs and risks.

Indeed, for individuals experiencing serious back pain, especially those seeking help in an emergency room setting, the study underscores that judicious use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen remains a safe and effective approach. The findings suggest that, in cases of severe low back pain, adding muscle relaxers or narcotic pain relievers like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) or oxycodone (Percocet) did not lead to improved outcomes compared to using NSAIDs alone. Therefore, patients and healthcare providers may find that NSAIDs, coupled with patience, represent a prudent strategy for managing back pain flare-ups.