Paracetamol pointless for back-ache - study

Thursday July 24th, 2014

Paracetamol does nothing for people with low back-pain, according to the findings of a major study published today.

Some 1,600 people with back-ache took part in a randomised trial of the pill in Australia.

This meant some people were given fake pills while others received paracetamol - known as acetaminophen in the USA.

According to the findings, published in The Lancet, the drug proved to have no impact on speeding recovery, reducing pain or improving quality of life.

In fact, in the study, patients taking placebo pills recovered faster, getting better on average in 16 days rather than the 17 endured by those taking true paracetamol.

Researcher Dr Christopher Williams, from the University of Sydney, Australia, said today: "Simple analgesics such as paracetamol might not be of primary importance in the management of acute lower back pain.

“The results suggest we need to reconsider the universal recommendation to provide paracetamol as a first-line treatment for low-back pain, although understanding why paracetamol works for other pain states but not low-back pain would help direct future treatments."

Efficacy of paracetamol for acute low-back pain: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 24 July 2014 [abstract]

Tags: Australia | Pain Relief | Pharmaceuticals

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