[Conservative therapy of low back pain. 2: Drug therapy]

Drug treatment of back pain is a useful adjunct to initial bedrest. A number of groups of drugs have proved effective. Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be recommended for short term treatment of acute cases. The effectiveness of muscle relaxants is unclear and, if prescribed they should be given only over the short term. Tricyclic antidepressants should be given only to patients with chronic pain complicated by a depressive component. A number of injection techniques are available for the treatment of refractory severe pain.