Ace Your 2026 Internal Medicine EOR – Cardiovascular Challenge and Pump Up Your Knowledge!

The primary treatment for pericarditis is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are effective in reducing inflammation and alleviating pain associated with pericarditis. NSAIDs work by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which play a crucial role in the inflammatory process.

While corticosteroids can be used in some cases of pericarditis, particularly when NSAIDs are ineffective or contraindicated, they are not considered the first-line treatment due to potential side effects and the risk of long-term complications. Antibiotics are only appropriate if the pericarditis is confirmed to be of bacterial origin, which is relatively rare and not the typical cause. In cases of constrictive pericarditis, pericardiectomy may be necessary, but this is a surgical intervention reserved for advanced cases and not the initial treatment approach.

Thus, NSAIDs are the mainstay of therapy for the majority of patients with pericarditis due to their efficacy in managing both pain and inflammation.