Paracetamol no better than placebo in treating lower-back pain: study
Study finds that the universally used drug is of no greater benefit than a placebo
Paracetamol, a painkiller recommended to treat people with acute lower back pain, does not speed recovery or reduce pain from the condition, according to a large trial.
A study published yesterday in The Lancet medical journal found that the popular pain medicine was no better than placebo, or dummy pills, for hastening recovery from acute bouts of back pain or easing pain levels, function, sleep or quality of life.
Researchers said the findings challenged the endorsement of paracetamol as the first-choice painkiller for lower back pain.
"We need to reconsider the universal recommendation to provide paracetamol as a first-line treatment," said Christopher Williams, who led the study at the University of Sydney in Australia.
Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. In the United States alone, costs relating to the condition are estimated to be more than US$100 billion a year.
Every back pain treatment guideline in the world recommends paracetamol as the first-line analgesic and Williams said this was despite the fact that no previous studies had provided robust evidence that it worked.
In his trial, 1,652 people from Sydney with acute low back pain were assigned at random to receive up to four weeks of paracetamol, either in regular doses three times a day, or as needed, or to receive placebos. All involved received advice and reassurance and were followed up for three months.