Orphenadrine and Methocarbamol for LBP

Methocarbamol and Orphenadrine for Acute, Non-traumatic, Non-radicular Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled, 3-armed Study

Low back pain is a common cause of visit to emergency department. It is not clear if skeletal muscle relaxants are of benefit for patients with acute low back pain. This is a randomized study to determine if skeletal muscle relaxants, when combined with naproxen, improve outcomes more than naproxen alone

Patients with acute, non-traumatic, non-radicular low back pain will be enrolled at the time of discharge from the emergency department. Participants will be followed by telephone one week and 3 months after the ED visit

Inclusion Criteria:

• LBP duration <= 2 weeks
• No trauma to low back within previous month
• No radicular symptoms
• No history of low back pain or history of only infrequent episodes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medication allergies or contra-indications
• Not available for follow-up
• Chronic pain syndrome