Definition
Pleurisy is referred to as inflammation of the pleura, the double membrane that lines the inside of the thoracic cavity and envelops each lung. Pleurisy causes acute pain on inhalation and exhalation, associated with coughing and sneezing.
Causes
Multiple and heterogeneous causes of pleurisy; in any case, the most involved etiological factors are represented by pneumonia, diseases involving the diaphragm and pathologies affecting the chest wall in general. The inflammation of the pleural sheets is responsible for the friction between lung and lung created during breathing, attributable to pain.
Risk factors: viral infection, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism
Symptoms
The first symptom that should be alarming is undoubtedly difficulty in breathing and severe pain in the chest. Often, pleurisy is associated with changes in body temperature, chills, weight loss, wheezing, sneezing, and coughing.
The information on Pleurisy - Medicines for the Treatment of Pleurisy is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Pleurisy - Medicines to Treat Pleurisy.
Medicines
The drugs used in therapy for the treatment of pleurisy aim to solve the causes that have caused the damage. In case of bacterial pleurisy, antibiotics are certainly the treatment of choice; it is also possible to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain during breathing. Antitussives, such as codeine, can also have a good therapeutic effect for healing of the cough; finally, it is recommended to stimulate the patient to cough during the maximum effect of the pain reliever drug.
Prognosis depends on the severity of the pathological condition.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against pleurisy and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
Antibiotics: to be taken only in case of ascertained or presumed bacterial pleurisy
- Amoxicillin (Eg Amoxicillin, Amoxil and Trimox, Zimox, Augmentin): belonging to the penicillin class, the drug should be taken at a dosage of 250-500 mg orally three times a day for 1-3 weeks. Alternatively, take 500-875 mg of active ingredient orally twice a day. However, the posology must be perfected by the doctor based on the severity of the symptoms, the patient's state of health and the responsible pathogen. The drug is often found in combination with clavulanic acid (beta-lactamase inhibitor)
- Moxifloxacin (eg Vigamox, Avalox, Octegra) particularly suitable for the treatment of tuberculosis-related pleurisy: in this sense, take 400 mg of active intravenously once a day. As we know, tuberculosis is rather difficult to eradicate and the expected duration of therapy can last for many months (12-18), depending on the severity of the symptoms. Consult your doctor. In case of pneumonia-dependent pleurisy, the dosage is different: it is recommended to take the drug at a dosage of 400 mg orally or intravenously, once a day, for 7-14 days.
Corticosteroids: generally taken orally or intravenously, they are used in therapy to counteract severe pleural inflammation.
- Prednisone (eg. Deltacortene, Lodotra) take orally 5-60 mg of active in 1-4 divided doses during the 24 hours. Consult your doctor. Do not continue therapy beyond what is necessary.
- Methylprednisolone (eg. Advantan, Solu-Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Medrol, Urbason) to relieve the pleura, take 4-48 mg per day of drug per os. Consult your doctor.
Antitussives: they are indicated in the context of pleurisy accompanied by cough
- Codeine (eg Codein, Hederix Plan) take the drug orally at a dosage of 15 mg every 6 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 120 mg per day.
- Dextromethorphan (eg.Aricodiltosse, Bisolvon Cough, Ozopulmin) the drug is usually administered in the form of syrups or tablets, at a dosage of 15-60 mg 2-3 times a day. Do not exceed 120 mg per day. At a dose of 200-300 mg per day the drug creates visual hallucinations and possible alteration of the heart rhythm.
- Guaifenesin (eg Broncovanil, Vicks Tosse Fluidific) belonging to the class of antitussive-expectorants, this drug is indicated to counteract cough in the context of pleurisy. It is recommended to take 200-400 mg of substance orally every 4 hours, as needed. Do not take more than 2.4 grams of active ingredient per day. Guaifenesin is also available associated with cortisone or opioid derivatives (eg hydrocodone: eg Vicodin, not sold in Italy), formulated in the form of tablets or syrup.
Therapeutic aids: analgesic and antipyretic drugs represent a good aid to speed up healing, thus allowing the patient to better overcome the disease.
- Paracetamol or acetaminophen (Acetamol, Tachipirina): the drug acts as an antifebrile and pain reliever: it is advisable to cough while the drug is working, in order to favor sputum and, with it, the elimination of bacteria (when present). Paracetamol is administered at a dosage of 325-650 mg per day every 4-6 hours, alternatively, take 1 gram every 6-8 hours. The dosage depends on the patient's condition, age and weight. It is also possible to take the drug intravenously: 1 gram every 6 hours or 650 mg every 4 hours for adults and adolescents who weigh more than 50 kilos: if the patient weighs less than 50 kilos, administer 15 mg / kg every 6 hours or 12.5 mg / kg every 4 hours.
- Ibuprofen (eg Brufen, Moment, Subitene) helps the patient to overcome the disease faster; thanks to its analgesic activity, the drug reduces the chest pain that generally accompanies patients suffering from pleurisy. Take orally from 200 to 400 mg of active ingredient (tablets, effervescent sachets) every 4-6 hours, as needed. In some cases, the analgesic can also be taken intravenously at a dosage of 400-800 mg every 6 hours, as needed.
When pleurisy is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, it must be eliminated (thoracentesis): by favoring the patient's breathing, this practice - exclusively of medical-surgical competence - represents a valid aid to speed up the healing from pleurisy.
