Physical therapy and just plain rest can go a long way in the quest for neck pain relief but often medications are indicated. People typically start with over-the-counter medications, but if they are not effective for you, consult a doctor. There are many choices that your doctor will give you and it may take some experimentation but typically you will find the drug(s) that work for your particular ailment.
LIGHT to MODERATE Neck Pain
These "over-the-counters" are effective for mild to moderate neck pain.
Acetaminophen - this drug can be a very effective pain medication, but it does not treat inflammation from arthritis of the vertebral joints- which is a cause of pain for many people. Acetaminophen is generally safe but may lead to kidney damage if overused.
Drugs in this category include: Tylenol- the most widely prescribed brand name of this drug.
NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - these drugs relieve pain and reduce swelling by inhibiting the body's natural inflammatory response. People taking blood-thinners such as Warfarin (Coumadin) should avoid ibuprofen because it also thins the blood, which may lead to excessive bleeding.
Drugs in this category include: Advil (ibuprophen) and Aleve (naproxen).
MODERATE to SERIOUS Neck Pain
Opioids - Opioids may be prescribed by your doctor for more severe neck pain that can not be controlled using over-the-counters like acetaminophen or NSAIDs. These drugs work by interfering with the brain's normal processing of pain signals. Some of the medications in this category are combined with acetaminophen or aspirin so they contain anti-inflammatory properties, such as Vicatin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen). One must be careful because the body can develop a strong physical dependence on these drugs over time. Side effects may include nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness.
Drugs in this category include: Methadone, Codeine, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Morphine (MS Cotin), and Oxycodone (Oxycotin).
Muscle Relaxants - These medications help relieve neck pain caused by muscle spasms and are most appropriate for short-term use. Using Muscle Relaxants for Neck Pain Treatment may lose their effectiveness after about two weeks. Some are habit-forming and cause side effects, like drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
Drugs in this category include: Soma (carispoprodol), Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Robaxin (methocarbanol), Zanaflex (tizanidine), and Valium (diazepam).
Neuropathic and Nerve - Blocking Medications- For neck pain caused by a pinched nerve or nerve disorder; relief may come from these anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, and nerve blockers. These medications work by interfering with the way that the brain receives or interprets pain signals or by blocking the signals being sent from an irritated nerve. Side effects from the anti-depressants and the anti-convulsion drugs can include: restlessness, dry mouth, anxiety, drowsiness, and weight gain. Anesthetics can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea.
Drugs in these categories include:
Anti-depressants such as: duloxetine (Cymbalta), paroxetine (Paxil), amitriptyline (Elavil), escitalopram (Lexapro), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and venlafaxine (Effexor)
Anti-convulsants such as: levetiracetam (Keppra), pregabalin (Lyrica), gabapentin (Neurontin), phenytoin (Dilantin), and topiramate (Topamax).
Nerve-blocking medications such as: local anesthetics- bupivacaine, novocaine, and lidocaine, and primary neuron-blockers such as over-the-counter pepper creams, and a capsaicin prescription cream called Zostrix.
Steroids - These drugs are powerful anti-inflammatory hormones used to treat pain caused by inflammation. These chemicals must be used with caution because they can have side effects, if taken for longer than a week. Steroids are known to promote osteoporosis; can cause fluid retention and swelling; may inhibit the immune system; and could dramatically increase blood sugar levels.
Drugs in this category include: Medrol (methylprednisolone), Decadron (dexamethasone), Prednisolone and prednisone.
Botulinum Toxin - These drugs can be used for treating neck pain caused by severe muscle spasms by partially paralyzing the involved muscles. Side effects may include more serious paralysis of those muscles than wanted and difficulty swallowing.
Drugs in this category include: botulinum toxin type A (Botox) and botulinum toxin type B (Myobloc).
NOTE: It is important to consult your doctor when over-the-counter medications do not relieve your neck pain. Your doctor can help find out the underlying cause(s) of your discomfort and prescribe the appropriate medical treatment.
Avoid Drugs with Neck Traction Device
Instead of using drugs, you can also use a neck traction device. A neck traction device can be used at home for neck pain treatment. Neck traction Devices helps maintain proper neck posture and release the cervical pressure by slowly pulling up the cervical spine. It supports the neck by using three different air layers. You can control the traction force by using the air pump.
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