Medications can relieve neck pain and reduce inflammation of the soft tissues. Pain relief will allow you to move your neck gently, so you can begin easy exercises and start the healing process.

Although pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants are commonly used for neck pain, none are well-proven treatments.²

Nonprescription pain relievers include:

• Creams or gels, such as Bengay, that are rubbed into the neck.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin (such as Bayer), ibuprofen (such as Advil), or naproxen sodium (such as Aleve), that can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
• Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, which reduces pain.

Prescription pain relievers include:

• Muscle relaxants, which are used to treat severe neck pain and spasms when neck pain begins (acute neck pain). They include diazepam (Valium), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and carisoprodol (Soma).
• Narcotic pain relievers, which are used to treat severe short-term (acute) neck pain. They include codeine, acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), aspirin and oxycodone (Percodan), and acetaminophen and oxycodone (Percocet).
• Antidepressants, which are used to treat long-lasting (chronic) pain. They include doxepin (Sinequan) and amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep).

FDA Advisory. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory to patients, families, and health professionals to closely monitor adults and children taking antidepressants for warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.

The FDA also advises that patients be observed for increases in anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, insomnia, impulsivity, hostility, and mania. It is most important to watch for these behaviors in children who may be less able to control their impulsivity as much as adults and therefore may be at greater risk for suicidal impulses. The FDA has not recommended that people stop using antidepressants, but simply to monitor those taking the medications and, if concerns arise, to contact a health professional.