Common Painkillers May Offer Limited Relief for Back Pain, Study Finds
A comprehensive analysis of nearly 60 years of research suggests that commonly used painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen may provide only limited relief for acute lower back pain, while also carrying a risk of unpleasant side effects.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales conducted an in-depth review of 98 randomized controlled trials – encompassing over 15,100 participants and 69 different medications – published between 1964 and 2021. The study, published today by The BMJ, revealed a lack of “high certainty evidence” regarding the effectiveness and safety of analgesics for short bouts of lower back pain. This finding is significant as lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention.
“Until higher-quality trials comparing analgesics with each other are published, GPs and patients are advised to take a cautious approach to manage acute non-specific low back pain with analgesic medicines,” said study lead author Dr. Michael Wewege. The research indicated that some medications showed only small reductions in pain intensity – between five and ten points on a 100-point scale – while others demonstrated no significant difference compared to a placebo. Increased adverse events, including nausea, dizziness, and headaches, were also noted with certain medications like tramadol and combinations containing paracetamol. For more information on managing back pain, resources are available from the Mayo Clinic.
Senior author Professor James McAuley emphasized the “considerable uncertainty” surrounding the effects of these medications on both pain intensity and safety. The team assessed risk of bias using a validated risk tool, highlighting the need for more robust research in this area. Understanding the true efficacy of these drugs is crucial given the widespread use of over-the-counter pain relief; a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that over 50 million U.S. adults experience chronic pain.
Clinicians and patients are advised to proceed with caution when considering analgesic medicines for acute non-specific low back pain, researchers stated.
