How long does anti-inflammatory medication take to work for sciatica?

Sciatica involves irritation of a nerve, often causing pain that travels from the lower back into the buttock or leg. An anti-inflammatory may help when inflammation contributes, but it may have less effect on numbness, tingling, or weakness. Improvement can be gradual, with walking, sitting, sleep, or leg pain changing at different speeds.

Take the prescribed medicine as directed and avoid adding another anti-inflammatory without advice. Keep gently active within your limits; prolonged bed rest can make stiffness and confidence with movement worse. Change position regularly, follow any exercise plan, and note whether leg pain, sensation, and strength are improving. Arrange review if symptoms are not moving in the expected direction.

Seek emergency care for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genitals or anus, or rapidly worsening weakness in a leg. Get urgent advice for severe pain with fever, significant injury, or new symptoms in both legs. Seek prompt help for black stools, vomiting blood, facial swelling, or breathing difficulty after medicine.

Ask whether inflammation is likely driving your symptoms, how long to continue the medicine, which changes in strength or sensation matter most, and when physiotherapy or other treatment should be considered.