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What can be the cause of pain in the upper back and neck?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I was advised to take Naproxen, Gabarich 300 mg and Pantop 40 mg for my upper back and neck pain. Can you please tell me if Gabarich is a painkiller and with what to substitute for Naproxen and Gabarich for pain in my upper back and neck? I must remind you that I am on antidepressants.

Answered by Dr. Ruth Divine D Agustin

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Ruth Divine D Agustin is a compassionate Family Physician and General Practitioner with clinical expertise in primary care, preventive medicine, and the management of common acute and chronic conditions. She is skilled in patient counseling, routine health screenings, and promoting wellness across all age groups. Dr. Agustin is known for her patient-focused care and commitment to holistic and evidence-based medical practice.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your complaints of upper back pain and neck pain point to a musculoskeletal cause, probably a muscular spasm. However, it would be prudent to check for other causes such as osteoarthritis and nerve impingement, initially through X-rays.

Naproxen belongs to a family of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID). These medications act on the musculoskeletal system to control pain. Other NSAIDs that can be used as substitutes are Celecoxib and Etoricoxib.

Gabarich 300 is Gabapentin, a pain killer that acts specifically on the nerves to control neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is described as tingling, shock-like or electricity-like. If you are experiencing this kind of pain, then this medication will help you. A similar drug is Pregabalin. Neuropathic pain usually is due to nerve impingement.

Addressing your pain would involve identifying the cause of the pain first. I hope this helps.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At September 22, 2017
Reviewed At June 16, 2023

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Ruth Divine D Agustin is a compassionate Family Physician and General Practitioner with clinical expertise in primary care, preventive medicine, and the management of common acute and chronic conditions. She is skilled in patient counseling, routine health screenings, and promoting wellness across all age groups. Dr. Agustin is known for her patient-focused care and commitment to holistic and evidence-based medical practice.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Ruth Divine D Agustin is a compassionate Family Physician and General Practitioner with clinical expertise in primary care, preventive medicine, and the management of common acute and chronic conditions. She is skilled in patient counseling, routine health screenings, and promoting wellness across all age groups. Dr. Agustin is known for her patient-focused care and commitment to holistic and evidence-based medical practice.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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