Table 2.

Medication Use in the 60 Days Prior to Initial Acupuncture Treatment and 60 Days Prior to Final Treatment

Types of medication	Before acupuncture	After acupuncture	Absolute (and %) reduction)
Opioids (in MMEs)a	46,476a	25,620a	−20,586 (−45%)
Muscle relaxantsb	1779 pills	1181 pills	−598 (−34%)
NSAIDsc	1640 pills	948 pills	−692 (−42%)
Benzodiazepinesd	383 pills	331 pills	−52 (−14%)
SSRIse	870 pills	860 pills	Unchanged

^aMeasured as MMEs.

^bMuscle relaxants included cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, baclofen, carisoprodol, and tizanidine.

^cNSAIDs included ibuprofen, sulfasalazine, and naproxen.

^dBenzodiazepines included clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam.

^eSSRIs included fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, and escitalopram.

MMEs, morphine mg equivalent units; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.