Paracetamol Not Effective for Low Back Pain

Paracetamol Not Effective for Low Back Pain

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever commonly used untie overcome symptoms of mild to moderate pain. Ranging from headaches, back pain or menstr... 2:02 AM

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever commonly used untie overcome symptoms of mild to moderate pain. Ranging from headaches, back pain or menstruation until the flu. Despite being recommended treatment for back pain or osteoarthritis, in fact, the use of paracetamol in the case is not effective.

The warning came after the researchers to review 13 clinical trials. The results of the review published in the British Medical Journal says this drug does not reduce disability, or improve quality of life. On the contrary, groups of researchers cautioned that the drug can increase the likelihood of liver disorders.

The team from the University of Sydney was then check the data against the 13 units of the drug, involving more than 5,000 patients. They conclude that paracetamol is not effective in reducing back pain. In osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, they found little improvement with paracetamol. But the effect is very small.

Paracetamol, said Gustavo Machado, one of the researchers, the drugs that are used very widely for musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, it is important to review the recommendations in the handling of this new evidence.

"In our research, paracetamol to lower back pain and osteoarthritis also shows associated with a higher risk of liver toxicity in patients. Patients, almost four times more often have abnormal results on liver function tests compared to those taking a placebo pill," explained Machado.

On the other hand, Dr. Christian Mallen, from Keele University, UK, said that in addition to drug choice should be the foundation of the management of these conditions. However, when the effectiveness of exercise for osteoarthritis and back pain has been formed, in fact, uptake and adherence to exercise is still ugly.

Meanwhile, Jane Tadman of Arthritis Research UK, said, that for some time, paracetamol may not work well for people with severe arthritis pain. But some people find the use of these drugs to help them and allow them to sleep and exercise with a relatively comfortable.

Physical activity may just be a better way and effective to keep joint pain than taking pain relievers available today.

Prof. Roger Knaggs, of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said there are other medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid pain reliever that can be better. However, it is associated with a series of other side effects.