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Is There an Over the Counter Antiinflammatory and Muscle-Relaxant Medication

Over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): These will help reduce swelling (or inflammation) while relieving your pain; that’s how NSAIDs differ from acetaminophen. If an over-the-counter NSAID is an option for you, you have plenty to choose from. You can use ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or Aleve.

By taking an NSAID, you are building up an anti-inflammatory effect in your system, so it’s necessary to take it for awhile. That is, NSAIDs won’t be as effective if you take them just when you have pain. Because they build up in your body and work to limit inflammation, NSAIDs are better for chronic pain sufferers.

Pronounced “ensayds,” these drugs help reduce pain and swelling while decreasing stiffness. NSAIDs that require a prescription include Naproxen®, Relafen®, Indocid®, Voltaren®, Feldene® and Clinoril®. Other NSAIDs are available over-the-counter. These include ASA (Aspirin®, Anacin® and others), and ibuprofen (Motrin IB®, Advil® and others.) When a low dose is taken, NSAIDs control pain, but higher doses are required to reduce inflammation. The problem with NSAIDs is their side effects. Taking more than one NSAID at a time increases the possibility of heartburn and severe side effects such as ulcers and bleeding. NSAIDs inhibit the blood’s ability to clot properly and may therefore interact with blood-thinning medications such as coumadin.

Muscle relaxants that address back pain are available as prescription and over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter muscle relaxant medications include Robaxin® (methocarbamol), Robaxacet® (methocarbamol and acetaminophen) and Robaxisal® (methocarbamol and ASA). Prescription medications include Soma® (carisoprodol), Flexeril® (cyclobenzaprine) and Valium® (diazepam). Soma is typically prescribed on a short-term basis and may be habit-forming, particularly if used with alcohol or other drugs that affect the mind. Flexeril may be used on a longer term basis. This drug may impair mental and physical function and can lead to urinary retention in men with enlarged prostates.

Valium is usually restricted to one to two weeks of use. Due to this drug’s habit-forming potential, and its propensity to alter the sleep cycle, it is not prescribed for the long-term. Since valium is a depressant, it can worsen the depression often associated with chronic back pain.

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