What medications are typically prescribed for sciatica?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Sciatica treatment typically includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Doctors may also prescribe muscle relaxants, oral corticosteroids, nerve pain medications like gabapentin, or, in more severe cases, opioids for short-term relief. Treatment plans vary based on the severity of symptoms, underlying causes, and individual health factors.

Because sciatica can stem from many different conditions—ranging from a herniated disc to piriformis syndrome—the right treatment depends on identifying the root cause. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you better understand what may be behind your pain and guide you toward the most appropriate next steps, whether that's self-care, seeing a specialist, or seeking urgent care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if sciatica needs urgent care Discover likely causes of sciatica pain Find out if symptoms suggest sciatica See sciatica symptom severity and next steps Find OTC options for sciatica relief Find doctors who treat sciatica Understand home remedies for sciatica pain

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Explanation

Sciatica is a condition that causes pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs down the back of the leg. To help with this pain, doctors often prescribe medications. One common type of medication is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs help reduce inflammation and pain.

According to the studies, NSAIDs can be helpful for some people with sciatica, but they might not work for everyone. Other pain relief medications are also used, and the choice of drug can depend on how severe the pain is and how the person responds to treatment.

It's important to know that treating sciatica, especially in older adults, can be challenging. Older people might have other health problems that affect which medications they can take safely. Therefore, doctors need to consider each person's overall health when prescribing medication for sciatica.

If you are experiencing sciatica pain, you can start by using our free AI symptom checker to better understand your symptoms before talking to your doctor about the most appropriate treatment options for you.

(References)

Rasmussen-Barr E, Held U, Grooten WJ, Roelofs PD, Koes BW, van Tulder MW, & Wertli MM. (2016). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for sciatica. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 27743405.
Pinto RZ, Maher CG, Ferreira ML, Ferreira PH, Hancock M, Oliveira VC, et al. (2012). Drugs for relief of pain in patients with sciatica: systematic .... BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 22331277.
Ferreira ML, & McLachlan A. (2016). The Challenges of Treating Sciatica Pain in Older Adults. Drugs & aging, 27738964.

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