Scientists at RWTH University Hospital in Germany compared the effectiveness of different drugs for treating acute low back pain. The results of the research were published at: Journal of Orthopedic Research.
The analysis used data from 18 high-quality studies involving 3478 patients. Scientists have found that muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most effective and fastest medications at relieving symptoms. The combination of NSAIDs and acetaminophen (paracetamol) produced greater improvement than NSAIDs alone.
NSAIDs are commonly used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce fever. OTC medications include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
Scientists noted that it is always necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the patient: the presence of allergies and concomitant diseases. The authors believe that future research should focus on identifying drugs that not only provide rapid pain relief but also reduce relapse rates.