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I have yet to find a pain medication that does not have the potential to cause side effects, especially drowsiness. Some people can even get drowsy with ibuprofen or Tylenol. Are there medications that do not cause side effects? No, none that I know about. So, the question I ask a client sitting in front of me is "Can we find a way to control your pain without chemicals?" For back pain, I absolutely suggest the Zero Gravity Chairs like the Perfect Chair by Human Touch (www.humantouch.com) or the LaFuma chair (can be found on amazon.com). I am using one right now to work on my laptop. Pain relief does not have to be just about medications. And those darn medications just do not come without side effects. If you just cannot get by without medications, then trying different ones (tramadol, percocet, Darvocet) might cause less drowsiness. Everyone is different, so it is a trial and error process, customized for you. Stay in school and keep dreaming. Dr. Christina Lasich, MD