Cervical Spondylosis Medication

  • Author: Hassan Ahmad Hassan Al-Shatoury, MD, PhD, MHPE; Chief Editor: Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 18, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The goal of pharmacotherapy is to reduce morbidity and prevent complications.

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Class Summary

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of cervical spondylosis. If one class seems to be ineffective after a 2-week trial, a formulation from another class may be tried. The most commonly used NSAIDs are ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, naproxen, indomethacin, mefenamic acid, and piroxicam.

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Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve)

 

Relieves mild to moderately severe pain and inhibits inflammatory reactions, probably by decreasing the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, thus inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

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Ibuprofen (Ibuprin, Advil, Motrin)

 

NSAID from propionic acid derivatives group. Effective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase, which is responsible for biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Rapidly absorbed after oral administration. Half-life in plasma is about 2 h. Ibuprofen passes slowly into the synovial spaces and may remain there in higher concentration as the concentration in plasma declines. Excretion is rapid and complete (mainly excreted in urine as metabolites or conjugates).

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Indomethacin (Indocin, Indochron E-R)

 

Rapidly absorbed; metabolism occurs in the liver by demethylation, deacetylation, and glucuronide conjugation. Indomethacin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis.

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Mefenamic acid (Ponstel)

 

Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis.

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Piroxicam (Feldene)

 

Decreases the activity of cyclooxygenase, which in turn inhibits prostaglandin synthesis; piroxicam's effects decrease the formation of inflammatory mediators.

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Aspirin (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer Aspirin)

 

Treats mild to moderately severe pain and headache. The drug inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, which prevents the formation of platelet-aggregating thromboxane A2; aspirin acts on the heat-regulating center of the hypothalamus and vasodilates peripheral vessels to reduce fever. By inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, aspirin may also inhibit key steps in the inflammation process.

Treatment is administered for at least 8 wk.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties. These medications can be given orally or as a single intramuscular (IM) injection.

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Prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, Sterapred)

 

Glucocorticoid steroid used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions. Prednisone may decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity. Dosages may be adjusted for individual sensitivities and associated medical conditions.

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Muscle relaxants

Class Summary

Muscle relaxants are used to treat muscle spasm, which may play a role in patient discomfort.

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Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

 

Skeletal muscle relaxant used in conjunction with other therapies to treat pain and discomfort associated with musculoskeletal conditions. Reduces nerve impulse transmission from spinal cord to skeletal muscle.

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Antidepressants

Class Summary

These agents are useful in select cases of chronic pain.

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Amitriptyline (Elavil)

 

Antidepressant with sedative effects. The mechanism of action is unknown. Amitriptyline is not an MAOI and does not act primarily by stimulating CNS.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Hassan Ahmad Hassan Al-Shatoury, MD, PhD, MHPE,  Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Suez Canal University; Co-Director, Center of Research and Development in Medical Education and Health Services Suez Canal University Hospital

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ayman Ali Galhom, MD, PhD  Lecturer (Associated Professor), Department of Neurosurgery, Suez Canal University Faculty of Medicine, Egypt

Ayman Ali Galhom, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Curtis W Slipman, MD  Director, University of Pennsylvania Spine Center; Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center

Curtis W Slipman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Association for the Study of Pain, and North American Spine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Patrick M Foye, MD  Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Fellowship, Co-Director of Back Pain Clinic, Director of Coccyx Pain Service (Tailbone Pain Service: www.TailboneDoctor.com), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School

Patrick M Foye, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and International Spine Intervention Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Kelly L Allen, MD  Medical Director, Medevals

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD  Physiatrist, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The editors would like to thank Franklin C Wagner, Jr, MD, Former Chief, Division of Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery, Former Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, for his previous association with this article.

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A cervical myelogram shows advanced spondylotic changes and multiple compression of the spinal cord by osteophytes.
A 59-year-old woman presented with a spastic gait and weakness in her upper extremities. A T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging scan shows cord compression from cervical spondylosis, which caused central spondylotic myelopathy. Note the signal changes in the cord at C4-C5, the ventral osteophytosis, buckling of the ligamentum flavum at C3-C4, and the prominent loss of disk height between C2 and C5.
A T2-weighted cervical magnetic resonance imaging scan shows obliteration of the subarachnoid space as a result of spondylotic changes.
A 48-year-old man presented with neck pain and predominantly left-sided radicular symptoms in the arm. The patient's symptoms resolved with conservative therapy. An axial, gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging scan shows moderate anteroposterior narrowing of the cord space due to a ventral osteophyte at the C4 level, with bilateral narrowing of the neural foramina (more prominently on the left side).
A 48-year-old man presented with neck pain and predominantly left-sided radicular symptoms in the arm. The patient's symptoms resolved with conservative therapy. A T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging scan shows ventral osteophytosis, most prominent between C4 and C7, with reduction of the ventral cerebrospinal fluid sleeve.
 
 
 
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