What Is the First-Line Treatment for Sciatica?

Sciatica involves radiating pain along the sciatic nerve distribution, typically down one leg. First-line management centres on pain relief while carefully weighing the safety profile of available therapies against each patient's individual risk factors.

Treatment Approach

An anti-inflammatory drug class is considered in first-line management of sciatica — with particular attention to evidence limitations and patient-specific safety factors such as age and organ-related risk.

Agent selection, full safety considerations, dosing guidance, and the complete prescribing algorithm are available in the structured protocol below.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

Be aware of the risk of harms and limited evidence of benefit from the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in sciatica.
Take into account potential differences in gastrointestinal, liver and cardio-renal toxicity, and the person's risk factors, including age.
Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period of time.

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