Paracetamol used to treat acute lower back pain is no better than a dummy pill, research in the Lancet suggests. The largest trial to date suggests the drug does not improve recovery time or provide greater pain relief than a placebo. Paracetamol does not work for every type of pain, nor does it work for every person. The study questions whether paracetamol should remain a first-choice drug on most national guidelines.
But experts caution anyone considering a change of medication should seek medical advice. Researchers studied more than 1,650 people across several primary care centres in Australia, who had experienced back pain for six weeks or less. A third received regular doses of paracetamol A third took the drug as needed A third were given a dummy pill (placebo) for one month Paracetamol did not reduce the intensity of the pain, nor did it improve sleep quality. And scientists…
