Pain Medication for Disc Pain

Multiple medicines help treat pain and inflammation associated with degenerative disc disorders. Because of potential side effects, especially in people suffering from diabetes and other health conditions, care must be used when taking these drugs.

Acetaminophen

• Acetaminophen is commonly prescribed as pain medication, because it has few side effects.This drug does not treat inflammation, although it is considered effective for pain caused by degenerative disc disease.

NSAIDs

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat pain and inflammation associated with lumbar degenerative disc disease. These drugs are available in prescription and nonprescription form and include ibuprofen, naproxen and Celebrex.

Oral Steroids

• These are prescribed, non-narcotic, anti-inflammatory drugs. Oral steroids are powerful and used only for short dosages during severe episodes of pain.

Muscle Relaxants

• Muscle relaxants are prescribed in early stages of pain, when it is usually caused by muscle spasms. Common brand names include Flexeril and Valium.

Narcotics

• Common narcotic pain medicines include codeine (Tylenol 3), propoxyphene (Darvocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin). These drugs are habit-forming and are only used on a short-term basis for severe cases of disc pain.

Tramadol and gabapentin

• Tramadol (such as Ultram) is a non-narcotic pain relief medicine, and it works centrally (in the brain) to help relieve pain. However, it does not improve inflammation. Anti-seizure medicines, such as gabapentin, are now being used to reduce chronic disc pain as well. These are usually prescribed as long-term pain treatments.