Neck Pain: Medications

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Medications

Medicines 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

Nonprescription pain relievers include:

• Creams or gels, such as Bengay, that are rubbed into the neck.
• Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, which reduces pain.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin (such as Bayer), ibuprofen (such as Advil), or naproxen sodium (such as Aleve), that can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye syndrome.

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 (such as Valium), cyclobenzaprine (such as Flexeril), and carisoprodol (such as Soma).
• Narcotic pain relievers, which are used to treat severe short-term (acute) neck pain. They include codeine, acetaminophen and hydrocodone (such as Vicodin, Lortab), aspirin and oxycodone (such as Percodan), and acetaminophen and oxycodone (such as Percocet).
• Antidepressants, which are used to treat long-lasting (chronic) pain. They include doxepin (such as Sinequan) and amitriptyline (such as Elavil).

Last updated:	August 21, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC