Medicines can help with low back pain, but they won’t usually make it go away completely. They can give you some short-term relief, which makes it easier to move and do daily tasks, but they aren’t usually a long-term solution.

Medicines that work best for acute low back pain are Paracetamol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Paracetamol can give short-term relief for pain, while NSAIDs can help with pain and inflammation. These medicines can be bought from a local pharmacy and should be taken as written on the packet, or as advised by the pharmacist.

Don’t take them if you have kidney, heart, or tummy problems. If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Some common brands of Paracetamol are:

  • Chemist Own
  • Dymadon
  • Herron
  • Panadol
  • Panamax

Some common brands of NSAIDs are:

  • Advil
  • Brufen
  • Nurofen
  • Voltaren

If pain medicines do not decrease your pain within 72 hours, talk to your General Practitioner.

Buying medicines online

Some medicines can be bought on the internet or through an app on your mobile phone, but the safety of these products is often not known. It is always safer to get medicines from a local pharmacy in South Australia, especially for pain.

More information for consumers

Information for clinicians