Medications

In most people with a neck strain, the acute phase of pain typically lasts only 1-2 weeks and may be helped by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. (It is important to note that NSAIDs should never be used by any person with a history of peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, or kidney disease, and that long-term use of these agents has been associated with kidney failure.) Typical over-the-counter preparations that could be used include the following:

• Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin are brand name examples) taken with food 3-4 times daily as needed, for no longer than 5 days
  
  
• Acetaminophen (such as the brand name Tylenol) taken every 4-6 hours, as needed, for no longer than 3-5 days of continued use
  
  
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve is one brand name) taken with food every 12 hours, as needed, for no longer than 5 days of continued use

Other drugs may be offered by your doctor to treat pain when it is not controlled with over-the-counter remedies. They include a short course of corticosteroids such as prednisone, and opioid-containing pain relievers such as codeine, propoxyphene, and others. They are often used in combination with acetaminophen or, less commonly, with ibuprofen. (Long-term use of steroids can be associated with weight gain, osteoporosis, and other significant problems. However, these complications do not usually occur until the drug has been used continuously for at least several weeks. Additionally, long-term use of opioid pain relievers carries the risk of respiratory depression when taken in excessive doses. Abstinence from alcohol during treatment is necessary, since all the agents listed have potentially life-threatening interactions with alcohol.)