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Pharmacotherapy Update of Acute Idiopathic Pericarditis
Author(s) -
Schwier Nicholas C.,
Coons James C.,
Rao Shivdev K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/phar.1527
Subject(s) - medicine , pericarditis , colchicine , pharmacotherapy , intensive care medicine , adverse effect , aspirin , refractory (planetary science) , combination therapy , astrobiology , physics
Idiopathic (viral) pericarditis is the most common form of pericardial disease in the Western world. Despite the combination of colchicine and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs ( NSAID s) plus aspirin ( ASA ), considered first‐line therapy, the incidence of recurrent pericarditis is ~20–30%. In addition, secondary recurrence without optimal first‐line therapy is ~50%. This is due to the many clinical challenges, such as inappropriate NSAID / ASA duration of therapy, the use of corticosteroid therapy, contraindications or intolerances to therapy, adverse effects, and issues related to adherence. This review describes contemporary pharmacotherapeutic management of idiopathic (viral) pericarditis, with a particular emphasis on the role of colchicine. Emerging therapies and management strategies, such as high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein–guided therapy and novel immunotherapies, are also reviewed. Ultimately, understanding appropriate treatment will assist the clinician in helping decrease the risk of recurrent, incessant, and refractory pericarditis.