What can you take to relieve sciatic nerve pain?

Individuals suffering from sciatic nerve pain may use over-the-counter oral medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen or aspirin to alleviate their symptoms, according to WebMD. Doctors may also prescribe other pain medications as well as steroid injections, antidepressants or muscle relaxants to ease the symptoms of a sciatica condition.

Additionally, doctors may recommend that sciatica patients apply ice or heat packs to the affected area to reduce the pain. Some patients may also be suitable candidates for physical therapy or other treatments, says MedlinePlus. Patients who experience severe or persistent pain may have to undergo surgery in order to rectify the underlying cause of the sciatica, advises WebMD.