When you're stuck with back pain medications, drugs used to reduce pain and inflammation from muscle strains, herniated discs, or arthritis. Also known as pain relievers for the spine, they’re one of the first things people reach for—but not all of them are right for everyone. Back pain isn’t one thing. It could be a pulled muscle, a pinched nerve, or years of wear and tear. That’s why the medication you need depends on what’s causing the pain, not just how bad it feels.
NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and diclofenac. Also known as anti-inflammatories, are often the first choice because they tackle both pain and swelling. But if you’ve got stomach issues or high blood pressure, they can do more harm than good. Then there’s acetaminophen, a painkiller that doesn’t reduce inflammation but is gentler on the gut. Also known as Tylenol, it’s safer for long-term use if you avoid overdosing. Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine help when spasms lock up your back, but they make you drowsy—so don’t drive or operate machinery after taking them. Opioids? They’re rarely needed. Only for severe, short-term pain after surgery or injury, and even then, doctors try to avoid them because of addiction risks.
What you won’t find in most lists are the quiet winners: topical creams with menthol or capsaicin, which numb the area without flooding your body with chemicals. Or the fact that some people get more relief from combining a low-dose NSAID with gentle movement than from a high-dose pill alone. The real trick isn’t just picking the strongest drug—it’s matching the right one to your body, your lifestyle, and your other meds. You might be taking something for blood pressure or diabetes that clashes with your back pain pill. That’s why checking interactions matters as much as the brand name.
What’s in the collection below? Real comparisons between popular drugs like Voveran SR (diclofenac) and other NSAIDs, how acetaminophen stacks up against the rest, and what to watch for when mixing meds. You’ll see how some pain relievers work better for certain types of back pain than others, and why what helps one person might do nothing for you. No theory. No hype. Just what actually works based on how people use these drugs every day.
Written by Mark O'Neill
Chronic back pain lasting over 12 weeks requires a combined approach: physical therapy to rebuild movement, smart medication use for relief, and daily self-management to maintain progress. Learn what works, what doesn't, and how to make it stick.