Pain medication refers to the variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs for the treatment of pain. Pain medications work chemically to interrupt pain signals producing an analgesic effect and some medications also have an anti-inflammatory component that is particularly effective for inflammation associated with back pain. Two types of over-the-counter medications, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are commonly recommended to alleviate low back pain. For short periods of time, prescription medications such as narcotic pain medications and muscle relaxants may be helpful to alleviate pain. Other classes of drugs such as antidepressants or anti-seizure medications can also help modulate the sensation of pain and can be taken on a prolonged basis.