For severe episodes of low back pain, narcotic pain medications may be prescribed by your doctor as narcotic agents are strong and potentially addictive forms of medication, but come with the risk of addiction and side effects.

Narcotic agents have a dissociative effect that help patients manage pain,with common narcotics including codeine, propoxyphene (e.g. Darvocet),hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin), and oxycodone (e.g. Percocet, Oxycontin).

After two weeks the body rapidly builds a natural tolerance to narcotic medications and they lose their effectiveness, with narcotics most commonly used to treat severe acute (short-term) low back pain or post-operative pain.

Narcotics have several major side effects and potential risks, such asimpairment of mental function and drowsiness, constipation, and if taken long enough, addiction.

Most narcotic agents have acetaminophen in them and should not be takenwith additional acetaminophen. Narcotic agents may be taken in slow release form through a patch (e.g. Duragesic), which has all the potential sideeffects of any Schedule 2 narcotic (like morpine).

Do not drink alcohol or use other drugs while you are taking a narcoticpainkiller. Narcotics can interact with many other drugs. Make sure thatyour doctor knows all the drugs you are taking.