Here is a complete, practical guide to general body pain and back pain medicines available in Pakistan with their local brand names:
General Body Pain & Back Pain - Medicines with Pakistani Brand Names
Important: Always consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any medicine. Self-medicating with NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, or opioids carries real risks.
1. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) - First Line
How it works: Reduces pain centrally in the brain. Safe for mild-to-moderate pain.
| Pakistani Brand | Manufacturer | Strength |
|---|
| Panadol | GSK Pakistan | 500mg tablets |
| Panadol Extra | GSK Pakistan | 500mg + 65mg caffeine |
| Panadol Extend | GSK Pakistan | 665mg (extended release) |
| Panadol Night | GSK Pakistan | 500mg + diphenhydramine (for night pain) |
| Calpol | GSK Pakistan | 500mg tablets / syrup |
| Disprol | - | 500mg |
Dose: 500mg - 1000mg every 6-8 hours (max 4g/day)
Use for: Mild body ache, fever with pain, elderly patients
2. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) - Most Common for Back Pain
Ibuprofen
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Brufen | 200mg, 400mg, 600mg tablets |
| Ibugesic | 200mg, 400mg |
| Nurofen | 200mg (also available) |
Dose: 400-600mg three times daily with food
Best for: Muscle pain, acute back pain, sports injuries, inflammation
Diclofenac
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Voltral / Voltaren | 50mg tablets |
| Dicloran | 50mg tablets |
| Voren | 25mg, 50mg tablets |
| Artifen | 50mg tablets |
| Annuva | 50mg tablets |
| Rhumalgan | 75mg SR (slow release) |
Topical (Gel/Emulgel):
- Voltral Emulgel - 1% and 2% gel (apply to painful area)
- Dicloran Gel - topical gel
Dose: 50mg two to three times daily with food
Best for: Joint pain, back pain, arthritis, severe inflammation
Aceclofenac
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Acenac | 100mg tablets |
| Bristaflam | 100mg tablets |
| Acecloren | 100mg tablets |
Dose: 100mg twice daily with food
Best for: Back pain, osteoarthritis - considered slightly gentler on stomach than diclofenac
Naproxen
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Synflex | 250mg, 550mg tablets |
| Naprosyn | 250mg, 500mg tablets |
Dose: 250-500mg twice daily with food
Best for: Longer duration of action (twice daily dosing), useful for chronic back pain
Mefenamic Acid
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Ponstan | 250mg, 500mg (Forte) tablets |
| Mefnac | 250mg, 500mg |
Dose: 500mg three times daily with food
Best for: Moderate pain, dental pain
Celecoxib (COX-2 Inhibitor - Safer for stomach)
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Celebrex | 100mg, 200mg capsules |
| Celact | 200mg capsules |
Dose: 200mg once or twice daily
Best for: Patients with stomach sensitivity, elderly, osteoarthritis
3. Muscle Relaxants - For Muscle Spasm/Back Spasm
Orphenadrine + Paracetamol (Combination - Very popular in Pakistan)
| Pakistani Brand | Composition | Notes |
|---|
| Nuberol Forte | Orphenadrine 35mg + Paracetamol 450mg | Most widely prescribed |
| Wilgesic | Orphenadrine + Paracetamol | Very common |
| Sinaxamol | Orphenadrine + Paracetamol | Widely available |
Dose: 1-2 tablets three times daily
Best for: Back spasm, neck stiffness, whole-body muscle ache
Cyclobenzaprine
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Flexeril | 5mg, 10mg tablets |
Dose: 5-10mg three times daily (short term, max 2-3 weeks)
Methocarbamol
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Robaxin | 750mg tablets |
| Tandolax | methocarbamol-based |
Dose: 750mg-1500mg 4 times daily initially
Tizanidine
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Sirdalud | 2mg, 4mg tablets |
| Tizral | 2mg, 4mg |
| Movax | tizanidine-based |
Dose: 2-4mg three times daily
Best for: Muscle spasticity, back spasm
Thiocolchicoside
| Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Muscoril | 4mg, 8mg tablets / capsules |
| Thiolax | 4mg tablets |
Dose: 4-8mg twice daily (max 7 days)
Best for: Acute back pain with muscle spasm - very popular in Pakistan
4. Nerve Pain (Neuropathic Back Pain / Sciatica)
| Drug | Pakistani Brand | Strength |
|---|
| Pregabalin | Lyrica, Pregeb, Pregeblin | 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 150mg |
| Gabapentin | Neurontin, Gabacap | 100mg, 300mg, 400mg |
| Amitriptyline | Tryptizol, Elavil | 10mg, 25mg (low dose at night) |
Best for: Sciatica, burning/shooting back pain, herniated disc nerve pain
5. Topical Treatments (Apply Directly on Back)
| Product | Active Ingredient |
|---|
| Voltral Emulgel 1%/2% | Diclofenac gel |
| Dicloran Gel | Diclofenac gel |
| Deep Heat Cream | Diclofenac sodium |
| Wintogeno Cream | Methyl salicylate / menthol |
| Synflex Gel | Naproxen gel |
6. Stronger Pain Relief (Prescription Only)
| Drug | Pakistani Brand | Notes |
|---|
| Tramadol | Tramal, Tramacet | Opioid - prescription required |
| Codeine + Paracetamol | Tylex, Paradeine | Prescription required |
| Distalgesic | Dextropropoxyphene + PCM | Moderate pain |
Quick Reference - What to Take Based on Pain Type
| Pain Type | First Choice | Second Choice |
|---|
| Mild body ache / fever | Panadol 500mg | Brufen 400mg |
| Back muscle spasm | Nuberol Forte | Muscoril + Brufen |
| Inflammatory back pain | Voltral 50mg / Dicloran | Synflex 550mg |
| Chronic back pain | Celecoxib (Celebrex) | Acenac 100mg |
| Sciatica / nerve pain | Pregeb 75mg | Gabacap 300mg |
| Severe acute back pain | Tramal (Tramadol) | Doctor prescription |
| Topical only | Voltral Emulgel | Dicloran Gel |
Important Safety Notes
- NSAIDs (Brufen, Voltral, Synflex) - always take with food; avoid with stomach ulcer history; avoid in kidney disease
- Muscle relaxants (Nuberol Forte, Muscoril) - cause drowsiness; do NOT drive after taking
- Tramadol - requires doctor prescription; risk of dependence
- Pregabalin/Lyrica - prescription required; causes dizziness and sedation
- Never combine two NSAIDs at the same time
- Add a PPI (Omeprazole/Nexium) if taking NSAIDs regularly to protect the stomach
If back pain lasts more than 2-3 weeks, is associated with leg weakness/numbness, or follows an injury - please see a doctor as it may need imaging (X-ray, MRI).