Medication from the store
There are two kinds of over-the-counter pain relievers that frequently help with back pain: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. Both have some side effects, and some people may not be able to take them.
Talk to your doctor before taking pain relievers. And don’t expect medication alone to solve your pain problem.
Prescription pain relievers
Some people may need prescription-strength NSAIDs or opioid medications to help with pain. It is important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications — including over-the-counter medicines — to avoid overdosing on certain active ingredients.
Your doctor may also prescribe muscle relaxants to help ease painful muscle spasms.
