I’ve been dealing with recurring lower back pain for the past couple of months (likely from bad posture and long hours at my desk), and I’m honestly not sure whether to stick with over-the-counter ibuprofen or ask my doctor for something stronger. I mean, is there really that much of a difference between OTC NSAIDs and prescription ones, or is it more about the dosage? Curious what others have experienced.
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Hey, I’ve been down this road too—sciatica in my case. Honestly, OTC NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can be pretty effective, especially if you catch the inflammation early and take the right dose. Prescription NSAIDs are usually just stronger doses or longer-acting versions, like celecoxib or prescription-strength diclofenac. But stronger doesn’t always mean better—for me, the OTC stuff worked well enough when paired with physical therapy and some core exercises. You also have fewer side effects to worry about with lower doses. I found this article helpful when trying to compare different options: dna meaning. It breaks down the differences without being overly technical. Definitely worth a look before jumping into something stronger.