Neck Pain
Medications
Medications can relieve neck pain and reduce inflammation of the soft tissues. Pain relief will allow you to move your neck gently, so you can begin easy exercises and start the healing process.
Although pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants are commonly used for neck pain, none are well-proven treatments.2
Non-prescription pain relievers include:
- Creams or gels, such as Bengay, that are rubbed into the neck.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ASA (such as Aspirin) or ibuprofen (such as Advil), that can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Do not give ASA to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
- Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, which reduces pain.
Prescription pain relievers include:
- Muscle relaxants, which are used to treat severe neck pain and spasms when neck pain begins (acute neck pain). They include diazepam (Valium) and cyclobenzaprine.
- Narcotic pain relievers, which are used short-term for severe neck pain. They include codeine, hydrocodone (Hycodan), ASA and oxycodone (Percodan), and acetaminophen and oxycodone (Percocet).
- Antidepressants, which are used to treat long-lasting (chronic) pain. They include doxepin (Sinequan) and amitriptyline (Elavil).
Advisories. Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued advisories to patients, families, and health professionals to closely monitor adults and children taking antidepressants for warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.
Health Canada and the FDA also advise that patients be observed for increases in anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, insomnia, impulsivity, hostility, and mania. It is most important to watch for these behaviours in children who may be less able to control their impulsivity as much as adults and therefore may be at greater risk for suicidal impulses. Health Canada and the FDA have not recommended that people stop using antidepressants, but simply to monitor those taking the medications and, if concerns arise, to contact a health professional.
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| Author: | Carrie Henley Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: October 16, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics | |
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