What are the best over-the-counter medications for relief from a pain in your side?

Pain in the side, or flank pain, may be treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, states Healthline. However, a proper diagnosis by a doctor is necessary to determine the cause for flank pain and properly treat it.

If flank pain is caused by an infection, such as a kidney infection, antibiotics may be prescribed, according to Healthline. Conditions such as kidney stones may require hospitalization. Illnesses that can cause flank pain such as Crohn's disease or arthritis of the spine may require additional treatment. Flank pain combined with dehydration, dizziness, an increased heart rate or a decrease in urine output requires immediate medical attention.