Medications are often used to treat acute and chronic low back pain.



Over-the-counter analgesics, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, are taken to reduce stiffness, swelling, and inflammation and to ease mild to moderate back pain.



Anticonvulsants topiramate, carbamazepine) may be useful in treating certain types of nerve pain and may also be prescribed with analgesics. Experts do not know exactly how anticonvulsants work to reduce chronic pain. They may block the flow of pain signals from the central nervous system.



Opioids such as codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine are often prescribed to manage severe acute and chronic back pain but should be used only for a short period of time and under a physician’s supervision.
is prescribed to control moderate to moderately severe back pain or chronic pain, or as an intermediary step between over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen and narcotic pain killers.