Along with rest and physical therapy, medication is often one of the first ways to treat neck pain. There are many different drugs available, and which one to use will depend on the source of your neck pain. For example, a drug designed to treat neck pain caused by a pinched nerve may not work for pain from a muscle spasm or inflammation. Show Pain Relief: Acetaminophen and NSAIDs These over-the-counter medications are considered the first line of attack for most neck pain. They are effective against neck pain caused by muscle and joint problems, such as muscle strains or osteoarthritis.
Pain Relief: Opioids An opioid may be prescribed for more severe neck pain that can't be controlled using acetaminophen or NSAIDs alone. Opioids work by interfering with the brain's normal processing of pain signals. Some of the medications in this category are combination drugs that include acetaminophen or aspirin, which also has anti-inflammatory properties. Dosing must be carefully monitored because the body can develop a strong physical dependence on them over time. Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea. Drugs in this category include:
Pain Relief: Muscle Relaxants These medications help relieve neck pain caused by muscle spasms and are most appropriate for short-term use. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, muscle relaxants lose their effectiveness after about two weeks. Some are habit-forming and cause side effects, like drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion, which can prevent you from thinking clearly and safely driving a car or operating machinery. Drugs in this category include:
Pain Relief: Neuropathic and Nerve-Blocking Medications For neck pain caused by a pinched nerve or nerve disorder, relief may come from antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and nerve blockers — medications that work by interfering with the way that the brain receives or interprets pain signals or by blocking the pain signals being sent from an irritated nerve. Side effects for antidepressants and anticonvulsants include anxiety, restlessness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and weight gain; anesthetics can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Drugs in these categories include:
Pain Relief: Steroids Steroids are strong anti-inflammatory hormones used to ease inflammation pain. Steroids must be used with extreme caution because they can have troubling side effects if taken for longer than a week; they are known to promote osteoporosis, inhibit the immune system, cause fluid retention and swelling, and increase appetite and blood sugar levels. Drugs in this category include:
Pain Relief: Botulinum Toxin The FDA has also approved the use of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) and botulinum toxin type B (Myobloc) for treating neck pain caused by severe muscle spasms. Both work by partially paralyzing the involved muscles. It can take 3 to 10 days before patients begin to feel relief, but relief may last for 4 months. Side effects may include more serious paralysis of those muscles than desired and difficulty swallowing, but both are temporary. When over-the-counter pain relief doesn't help your neck pain, it's important to consult your doctor to find out the underlying cause of the discomfort and, in turn, the best pain medication to treat it. What muscle relaxer is best for neck pain?1) Methocarbamol
Taken as needed, 1500 mg every 6 to 8 hours is a cheap and well-tolerated option for sufferers of acute neck and back pain. Think of trying this first, as it is less sedating than other options, like cyclobenzaprine and carisoprodol.
Can I take a muscle relaxer for a stiff neck?If you have neck or back pain, or you're dealing with some other condition that causes muscle spasms, your doctor might prescribe a muscle relaxer (or muscle relaxant) for you.
What's a good muscle relaxer over the counter?Muscle relaxants may help reduce pain, and improve movement and range of motion, but your doctor will likely recommend that you first try acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).. Aspirin (Bayer, Excedrin). Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Naproxen (Aleve). What medication relaxes neck muscles?Dantrolene: Dantrolene (Dantrium) is used to treat muscle spasms caused by spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or MS. It works by acting directly on the skeletal muscle to relax the muscle spasm.
What over the counter medicine is best for neck pain?Pain relievers might include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Take these medications only as directed.
What is the best painkiller for neck and shoulder pain?The treatment of soft tissue neck and shoulder pain often includes the use of anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn). Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also be recommended.
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Best otc muscle relaxer for neck pain
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