Naproxen for back pain is a common NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) prescribed for a variety of acute and chronic symptomatic syndromes. Naproxen is an especially popular drug for the treatment of many musculoskeletal disorders and is a part of many back pain patient’s care regimens. Naproxen sodium is usually taken in pill form and is commonly used in combination with other substances as part of a complete pharmaceutical therapy program. This was one of the the drugs offered to me countless times during my own painful back journey.
This essay examines the use of naproxen in the back pain patient population.
Side Effects of Naproxen for Back Pain
Naproxen can cause rather serious gastrointestinal disturbances in some patients. It can also have serious drug interactions, especially with drugs such as Lithium and anticoagulants. NSAIDs, as a group, have also been linked to several different types of birth defects when taken by pregnant women.
NSAIDS are also considered hazardous to people with compromised gastrointestinal tracts. They are known to cause stomach bleeding and ulcer formation, often leading to severe consequences. Finally, naproxen has been linked to certain heart-related conditions, some of which can be serious.
Make sure to discuss all the risks of NSAID usage with your doctor. During this conversation, inform your doctor of any health issues you might suffer from and any substances you may use regularly. Be sure to discuss other drugs, herbal supplements and alcohol intake when taking any prescription medication.
NSAIDS for Back Pain
Naproxen is the generic name of the drug commonly marketed under the brand names Naprosyn, Anaprox, Synflex, Naprogesic and Naprelan. A very popular over the counter (OTC) version of this drug is available under the brand name Aleve.
The drug is most often prescribed in combination with a more powerful pain reliever and a muscle relaxant, even if there is no inflammation or spasms present. For most varieties of back ache, the 3 are used in combination, in the hope of having some positive effect. This guess-oriented approach is typical of medical science’s generally poorly directed treatment protocol when it comes to back pain relief.
Naproxen Factsheet
Naproxen was prescribed to me on several occasions during my chronic lumbar back pain experience. I also tried the OTC variety, Aleve, on several occasions. I thought the drug might work for me, since I had read quite a lot about it which seemed to make sense for what I believed to be wrong with my back. I was disappointed with it, just like I was with all the other pharmaceutical products I had tried before or after naproxen. I never noticed any real severe side effects from this drug as compared to some of the others I had tried. However, no drug should be abused or taken needlessly.
Naproxen is prescribed mostly to combat inflammation when it comes to back pain. This is ironic, since (citing Dr. John Sarno), inflammation is rarely, if ever, an actual part of most back pain conditions. This truth makes naproxen a poor choice for back pain. Don’t feel bad, naproxen. You are simply part of the entire poorly used pharmaceutical plan that has proven itself to be an utter failure when it comes to dealing with chronic pain.
