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NSAIDs + vitamin B outperform NSAIDs alone in reducing musculoskeletal pain and improving patient outcomes.
A newly published study has sparked medical interest by highlighting that combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with vitamin B supplements may remarkably enhance pain relief in individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain—a condition affecting millions worldwide and contributing to major healthcare and productivity burdens.
Searches were carried out across reputable scientific databases, including Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Two independent reviewers screened and extracted appropriate data. From 2,326 initially identified records, 189 duplicates were removed. Following screening titles and abstracts, 15 studies underwent full assessment. Overall, 8 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 6 provided sufficient quantitative data for final assessment.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the included studies focused on the effects of NSAIDs alone versus NSAIDs + vitamin B for various musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
The results showed a statistically significant improvement in pain reduction among patients receiving combination therapy. Measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), the combination group illustrated a mean difference of -0.85, indicating that vitamin B enhanced the analgesic effect of NSAIDs. Those treated with the combination therapy also experienced earlier pain relief, improved functional outcomes, and in several studies, earlier cessation of therapy, suggesting faster recovery and clinical benefit.
Safety outcomes were also evaluated, revealing that adverse events were slightly lower in the combination group (relative risk: 0.77), though this difference was not statistically significant. Thus, NSAIDs paired with vitamin B may offer a more effective and potentially safer approach to mitigating musculoskeletal pain than NSAIDs alone. The findings support the potential role of vitamin B as a valuable add-on therapy for musculoskeletal pain, especially for those who require prolonged treatment or experience inadequate relief with NSAIDs alone. Researchers emphasize that while early results are promising, more large-scale trials are needed to fully confirm safety outcomes and long-term benefits.
Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine
Efficacy and Safety of Combining NSAIDs with Vitamin B for Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Ibraheem Algarni et al.
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