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SYDNEY — Got back pain? Turns out the over-the-counter treatments in your medicine cabinet may be causing you more harm than relief. A new study finds that common painkillers used to treat a nagging back offer little help while increasing the risk for other frustrating side effects.
The study, researched at The George Institute for Global Health in Sydney, Australia, found that only one in six people experienced significant relief from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin), or naproxen (Aleve).
It also found that NSAIDs increased the risk of gastrointestinal side effects by 2.5 times. The medications can cause heartburn and irritation of the stomach, and in more serious cases ulcers or internal bleeding.
“Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is commonly managed by prescribing medicines such as anti-inflammatories. But our results show anti-inflammatory drugs actually only provide very limited short term pain relief,” lead author Associate Professor Manuela Ferreira said in a release. “They do reduce the level of pain, but only very slightly, and arguably not of any clinical significance.”
Read more here (Study Finds)
The study, researched at The George Institute for Global Health in Sydney, Australia, found that only one in six people experienced significant relief from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin), or naproxen (Aleve).
It also found that NSAIDs increased the risk of gastrointestinal side effects by 2.5 times. The medications can cause heartburn and irritation of the stomach, and in more serious cases ulcers or internal bleeding.
“Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is commonly managed by prescribing medicines such as anti-inflammatories. But our results show anti-inflammatory drugs actually only provide very limited short term pain relief,” lead author Associate Professor Manuela Ferreira said in a release. “They do reduce the level of pain, but only very slightly, and arguably not of any clinical significance.”
Read more here (Study Finds)
