Place of centrally acting muscle relaxants in the treatment of non-specific back pain

The paper considers modern strategies for pharmacological treatment of non-specific back pain. It has been shown that despite some controversial approaches to the treatment according to the latest clinical guidelines, central muscle relaxants still play an important role in the treatment of back pain is significantly increased. At the same time, non-narcotic analgesics (paracetamol) are no longer considered as first line drugs for the treatment of acute back pain, as recommended several years ago. The analysis was carried out of the group of centrally acting muscle relaxants. Significant heterogeneity of the group and individual differences between various drugs are shown. As for some preparations of the group, their manufacturers received instructions from the regulatory authorities due to the unfavorable benefit/risk ratio. Cyclobenzaprine, one of the central muscle relaxants, which is new on the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine, is considered with more details. It is noted that one of major advantages is the dosage form of this drug with a slow release of the active substance. This allows cyclobenzaprine to be used once a day and contributes to improving the safety profile and patient’s compliance.