heart and blood vessel disorders
Acute Pericarditis
Treatment of Acute Pericarditis
Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs orcolchicine Treatment of the underlying disorder, such as cancer Infrequently, surgical treatment such as pericardiotomy or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs [NSAIDs], myopericarditis [pericarditis involving the heart muscle as well as the pericardium] and moderate or large pericardial effusions). The person is monitored for complications, particularly cardiac tamponade. Acute pericarditis usually responds tocolchicineor NSAIDs (such asaspirinandibuprofen) taken by mouth. Once pain and signs of inflammation have been relieved, the drugs are gradually reduced.Colchicinealso decreases the chance of pericarditis returning later. Intense pain may require an opioid, such asmorphine.Prednisone, a corticosteroid, does not directly reduce pain but relieves it by reducing inflammation. However,prednisoneis not used for everyone because it can make a viral infection (which people may also have) more severe.Prednisonealso increases the chance that pericarditis will return later. 