[Drug therapy of back pain].

The importance of analgesic drugs in the treatment of low back pain is a matter of intense debate. Based on the current literature, a multidisciplinary approach combining drug treatment with physical and psychotherapy has proven to be the most successful treatment of back pain. This perspective is challenged by various anesthesiologists who claim that early use of opioids in back pain therapy is the concept of choice. The results of recent studies regarding this matter are controversial. This chapter reviews the historical background of analgetic drugs and provides an overview of the current diagnostic and therapeutic options in the treatment of back pain. Recommendations are given based on the results of current randomized controlled studies.