Efficacy of Antibiotics for Chronic Low Back Pain With Disc Herniation

Are antibiotics an effective and safe intervention for reducing pain in individuals with chronic low back pain and disc herniation compared with placebo?This randomized clinical trial of 170 participants found that treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate, 500 mg/125 mg twice per day for 90 days, did not result in greater pain reduction than placebo at 12 months.These findings suggest that antibiotics should not be used in the treatment of chronic low back pain with disc herniation.

Corresponding Author: Donna M. Urquhart, PhD, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia (donna.urquhart@monash.edu).

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