These medications all have side effects and should never be taken in any manner other than the method prescribed by the doctor.
More medication per dose or medication taken more often than directed can cause serious and even fatal reactions in patients.
All narcotic pain relief medications can be addictive. There are no exceptions.
These medications should never be taken with alcohol, and all alcohol should be avoided when a patient is taking narcotic pain prescriptions.
The narcotic pain medication most often prescribed for back pain is codeine.
The most usual prescription is for Tylenol #3, which contains codeine.
The second-most prescribed narcotic pain medication to relieve back pain is propoxyphene. Darvocet is the name that you will recognize.
Other narcotic pain medications that physicians sometimes prescribe to relieve back pain are hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Percocet or Oxycontin).
*Note: All of the above listed medications are addictive and should be used only as directed.
Additionally, physicians will sometimes prescribe muscle relaxants for the relief of back pain.
Muscle relaxant prescription drugs all have many possible side effects. They should only be taken as prescribed. Dosage amount or frequency should not be increased.
One such prescription muscle relaxant is Carisoprodol (Soma).
This drug should never be taken when alcohol has been consumed or will be consumed, and it should never be taken when any other mind-altering drugs are being taken. It is highly addictive.
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexural) is another muscle relaxant that is sometimes prescribed for those who suffer with back pain.
This drug has been known to impair mental as well as physical functions. Additionally, it can cause urinary problems in males who have enlarged prostate glands.