Is Aleve Or Advil Better For Back Pain

How To Pick A Pain Reliever:

Q. Could you please explain the differences between popular OTC pain relievers? How is Advil different from Aleve, and how are these NSAIDs different from aspirin? What makes Excedrin different? I havent needed pain relievers before, but now I do.

A. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include both prescription medicines and the OTC drugs ibuprofen and naproxen.

Aspirin is also considered an NSAID, though it has heart benefits rather than the risks posed by other NSAIDs. Most non-aspirin NSAIDs increase blood pressure and also have the potential to trigger heart attacks and strokes.

Tylenol Effectiveness For Back Pain

Tylenol has historically been used for back pain. However, Tylenol has very limited benefit in patients with back pain. According to one study:

• Tylenoldoes not produce better outcomes than placebo for people with acute low back pain, and it is uncertain if it has any effect on chronic low back pain.

Tylenol is thus no longer recommended as a first-line treatment for low back pain. It may be worth a try if you cannot take ibuprofen or naproxen due to medical reasons. The dose you can try is this:

• Under 65 years old: Acetaminophen 650 mg orally every six hours as needed
• Over 65 years old: Acetaminophen 500mg orally every six hours as needed

Best For Chronic Pain Fewer Side Effects

Naproxen is a long-acting NSAID, meaning it takes longer to relieve your pain but remains in effect for longer than a short-acting NSAID like ibuprofen. You also don’t have to take it as often. This can make it a better choice if you need to take it regularly for pain from a chronic condition.

Another real advantage is that naproxen sodium is associated with fewer side effects than ibuprofen, meaning it’s safer overall and you may be able to tolerate it if ibuprofen bothers you.

Also Check: Is Motrin Good For Back Pain

Reasons For Persistent Lower Pain In The Back

Pain is thought about persistent when it lasts for more than three months and goes beyond the bodys natural recovery process. Chronic pain in the low back commonly entails a disc trouble, a joint issue, and/or an irritated nerve root. Usual causes consist of:

Lumbar herniated disc. The jelly-like facility of a back disc can appear the tough external layer and also irritate a close-by nerve root. The herniated portion of the disc is full of healthy proteins that trigger inflammation when they reach a nerve origin, and swelling, along with nerve compression, trigger nerve root pain. The disc wall is likewise richly supplied by nerve fibers, and also a tear with the wall surface can trigger severe pain.

Degenerative disc condition. At birth, intervertebral discs contain water and at their healthiest. As individuals age in time, discs shed hydration as well as wear down. As the disc sheds hydration, it can not withstand forces too, and transfers pressure to the disc wall surface that may develop rips and also cause pain or weakening that can cause a herniation. The disc can also fall down and contribute to constriction.

The Dangers Of Opioids To Treat Lower Back Pain

We know this change can be frustrating for patients who have been treated with opioids or other strong painkillers in the past. But were here to put our patients well-being first. That means we need to try safer treatment approaches first before we consider potentially dangerous painkillers. If your back pain has gotten to the point where opioid medications are potentially needed, carefully discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Also Check: Advil Good For Back Pain

Which Is Safer For The Gut

To sum it up, has a slightly lower risk of causing ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding compared to naproxen. With any NSAID, take the lowest effective dose and avoid using it long term. And if you have to use an NSAID for more than a few days, add protection for the stomach with a proton-pump inhibitor drug like , , or .

Aleve Vs Ibuprofen: Main Differences And Similarities

Aleve and ibuprofen are two over-the-counter medications that can treat mild to moderate pain. Both medications can be used to treat pain from arthritis, headaches, or gout, among other conditions. Ibuprofen and Aleve, also known as naproxen, are classified in a group of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They work by preventing the release of prostaglandins, which are substances that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Read Also: Does Aleve Work For Back Pain

> > This Gentle Movement Eases Back Pain In 32 Seconds < <

First therapy at home may consist of warm application and also avoiding reinjury as well as hefty lifting. Prescription medicines that are in some cases made use of for severe lower back pain consist of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, by injection or by mouth, muscle mass relaxants,Extended periods of inactivity in bed are no more suggested, as this therapy may in fact slow recuperation. Back control for durations of as much as one month has actually been found to be valuable in some clients that do not have indications of nerve irritation.

Future injury is stayed clear of by utilizing back-protection strategies throughout activities and also assistance devices as required in your home or work.

A lower back sprain or pressure can happen instantly, or can develop gradually over time from repeated activities.

Strains occur when a muscle is extended also far and also rips, harming the muscle mass itself.

Strains take place when over-stretching and also tearing impacts ligaments, which connect the bones together.

For functional objectives, it does not matter whether the muscular tissue or ligament is damaged, as the symptoms and also therapy are the same.

Typical root causes of sprain and stress consist of:

While sprains and pressures do not seem serious and also do not commonly cause resilient pain, the sharp pain can be rather extreme.

Remain Strong Advil Vs Aleve For Lower Back Pain

Once your lower back pain has actually receded, you can help avoid future episodes of pain in the back by working the muscles that support your lower back, consisting of the back extensor muscles. They assist you preserve the proper stance and also alignment of your spinal column. Having strong hip, pelvic, as well as stomach muscles additionally provides you much more back assistance. Stay clear of abdominal problems, because they can in fact put more strain on your back.

Recommended Reading: Advil Vs Ibuprofen For Back Pain

Something Better Than Medication For Lower Back Pain

If you are one of the millions suffering from back pain, dont feel that the only way to get relief is from a bottle. Not only do these medications cause potentially harmful side effects, but they also do not address an underlying cause that is frequently overlooked by the medical community as a whole. What is this common cause of back pain?

Believe it or not, back pain often begins in the neck. When the atlas becomes misaligned, the rest of the spine shifts to compensate. Since the pain will often occur where the biggest adjustments take place, the lower or mid back may be where the pain occurs despite the initial problem being in the neck.

These shifts can also lead to a chronic pain condition known as sciatica. What is sciatica and how is it caused?

How Well Do They Work

Cyclobenzaprine is the best studied of the muscle relaxants. In more than 20 studiesmost of which involved people with back or neck pain and lasted for two weekscyclobenzaprine was consistently more effective than placebo on various measures of pain relief, functional ability, and muscle spasm.

One analysis of 10 studies of people who took cyclobenzaprine compared with people who took a sugar pill to treat back or neck pain found that after 10 to 21 days, people with either types of pain who took cyclobenzaprine said their pain was reduced by about one point on 10-point pain or function scale, compared with those who took a placebo.

Carisoprodol and orphenadrine have been studied less, with only four trials for each drug. Both drugs appear to be more effective than placebo for relieving pain due to spasms.

There is not enough good quality research on the other medicationschlorzoxazone, metaxalone, and methocarbamolto determine how well they relieve pain.

There are few high quality studies that have compared one muscle relaxant against another, so we cant determine whether any one muscle relaxant is a standout. There is also not enough research to know if pills that combine a muscle relaxant with another drug, such as aspirin, codeine, or caffeine, are any more effective than a muscle relaxant alone.

Don’t Miss: Will Naproxen Help Back Pain

Are Ibuprofen And Naproxen Safe To Take If I Am Pregnant Or Breastfeeding

Ibuprofen safety

• There are no adequate studies of ibuprofen in pregnant women. Therefore, ibuprofen is not recommended during pregnancy. Ibuprofen should be avoided in late pregnancy due to the risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetal heart.
• Ibuprofen is excreted in breast milk but the American Academy of Pediatrics states that ibuprofen is compatible with breastfeeding.

Naproxen safety

• NSAIDs may cause a fetal birth defect called ductus arteriosus in the third trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, NSAIDs should be avoided during this last part of pregnancy.
• A small amount of naproxen is excreted in breast milk. Because the concentration in breast milk is low, breastfeeding while taking naproxen probably is not harmful to the infant.

Are Aleve And Ibuprofen The Same Thing

Naproxen and ibuprofen are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and they work in the same way by blocking COX-2 enzymes and COX-1 enzymes. However, they have different onset times and durations. Naproxen is a long-acting drug, meaning it takes longer to start relieving your pain, but it lasts longer too. Ibuprofen is short-acting, so it starts working more quickly but needs to be taken more frequently.

You May Like: Does Motrin Help With Back Pain

Warnings Of Acetaminophen Vs Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen is generally considered to be well tolerated. However, taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can increase the risk of liver damage. Acetaminophen is known to be hepatotoxic or toxic to the liver in high doses.

Ibuprofen is more likely to cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse effects than acetaminophen. Like all NSAIDs, ibuprofen use can increase the risk of stomach ulcers, especially in people who have a history of peptic ulcer disease. Taking ibuprofen can also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in those with a history of heart problems or high blood pressure. Ibuprofen should be avoided to treat pain before, during, or after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

One study found that acetaminophen can cause NSAID-related adverse effects in higher doses over time. These adverse events include ulcers, heart attack, and stroke in some people who are predisposed to these events.

Acetaminophen may be considered safer than ibuprofen for pregnancy. However, these drugs should only be taken during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in babies.

Aleve Vs Ibuprofen For Back Pain

The study compared the use of prescription-strength naproxen alone to the use of naproxen with the narcotic painkiller oxycodone with acetaminophen , or the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine . Patients who took a combination of drugs fared no better than when they took naproxen alone, the researchers said.

Acute low back pain is a frustrating condition, said lead researcher Dr. Benjamin Friedman, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City Many patients have already taken over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as naproxen or ibuprofen , before they arrive in the emergency room, he said. Some people may have taken insufficient doses at incorrect intervals and could be advised to optimize their NSAID regimen, he said.\

We know that narcotics lower testosterone levels in both men and women, Danesh said. For men, replacing testosterone with supplements can increase the risk of heart attack and death.

In women, you have no idea of where or how to replace testosterone, so you are changing their biochemistry, which can make them more sensitive to pain, he said.

Recommended Reading: Should I Go To The Doctor For Lower Back Pain

Recommended Reading: Is Advil Good For Back Pain

Cox Enzymes And Inflammation

All of these OTC pain relievers have an impact on proteins called COX enzymes, but one of these medications works differently from the others.

Anti-Inflammatories

Ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a similar mechanism of action. Because of this, you shouldn’t combine more than one type of NSAID as that can increase the likelihood of side effects. Serious risks of NSAIDswith the exception of aspirininclude an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

NSAIDs work by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes outside of the central nervous system and at the site of damaged tissues. COX enzymes are involved in the inflammatory process, so blocking them counters inflammation and the pain it can cause.

Acetaminophen

Meanwhile, acetaminophen’s mechanism of action isn’t fully understood, but it seems to increase your body’s pain threshold . It’s thought to do this by targeting a protein sometimes called COX-3 that’s actually a COX-1 variant.

However, a key difference is that acetaminophen blocks this protein inside the CNS , not outside of it like NSAIDs. This crucial difference means that acetaminophen isn’t effective for inflammation-related problems, such as sprains or rheumatoid arthritis.

Properties Of Otc Pain Relievers

The four main OTC pain drugs on the market are:

• Naproxen sodium

Each one has both benefits and risks. While their general function is more or less the sameto alleviate paintheir mechanism of action and how they’re best used does vary. The reasons for using them can include some or all of the following:

• To relieve a headache
• To reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints or muscles
• To relieve pain from injury or nerve damage
• To lower a fever
• To lessen some of the symptomssuch as sinus painof allergies, colds, or the flu

The choice of drug depends largely on the condition you need to treat and the potential problems that may prevent you from using a particular product.

Recommended Reading: Does Aleve Help Back Pain

What’s The Difference Between Tylenol Advil And Aspirin Which Is The Best To Take For Pain

I used to take acetaminophen for the occasional headache or sore muscle, mostly because that’s what we used in my house growing up. I didn’t think much about whether it was more or less effective than any other type of over-the-counter pain reliever, and I suspect the same is true for many folks. Acetaminophen, after all, is the most popular over-the-counter painkiller worldwide.

So I was surprised when I found out there’s a huge gap between how pain researchers think about this drug and how the public does. More specifically, every researcher I contacted for this piece said some variation of what Andrew Moore, a pain researcher at Oxford University, told me: Tylenol doesn’t actually work that well for pain. To be more exact, he said, “I can’t imagine why anybody would take acetaminophen.”

Moore has done a number of systematic reviews on over-the-counter pain medications, looking at all the available evidence to figure out which ones work best for various problems. I asked him to describe the overall success rates for the most common three: acetaminophen , ibuprofen , and aspirin.

Now, Moore was referring here to acute pain that strikes after a specific event, like a surgery, a cut, or a burn, but his message was simple: Ibuprofen seems to work best, followed by acetaminophen, and then aspirin.

For ongoing pain a sore lower back, say, or the kind of degenerative arthritis that typically develops with age ibuprofen still outperforms acetaminophen.

Develop An Exercise Routine

Tip 4 of 5

Regular exercise can help speed up recovery after an injury and strengthen back and abdominal muscles. Check with your doctor or physical therapist first, but some gentle exercises you might try are swimming, walking, strengthening and yoga. Mild pain is normal at the start of exercise, but if feels worse than mild or lasts more than 15 minutes, stop exercising until you talk to your doctor.

Recommended Reading: Advil Or Ibuprofen For Back Pain

Best Bets For Back Pain

When your back is bothering you and you don’t want to take prescription drugs, over-the-counter solutions and physical therapies can help relieve symptoms.

At this moment, about 10% of men have a backache, and up to 90% will have a backache at some point in their lives. Most flare-ups of low back pain get better over time, often within a few weeks. Pain control is important because it allows you to stay active, which assists in your recovery. For over-the-counter pain relievers, you have two options: acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .

But pain relievers are only one tool to help you recover from, and prevent, low back pain, according to Dr. Jeffrey N. Katz, professor of medicine and surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Low Back Pain: Healing Your Aching Back. Dr. Katz suggests you also include these steps in your back-care plan:

Soothe with cold or heat. In the first few days, when pain is most intense and may be accompanied by inflammation, apply cold compresses for 15-minute periods. After a few days, switch to warm compresses to relax the affected muscles and enhance blood flow to the area. This simple approach can reduce reliance on pain relievers.