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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Treatments used in pleurisy and pleural effusion focus primarily on the underlying cause.  For example, if bacterial pneumonia is the cause, an antibiotic may control the infection.

Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve some of the signs and symptoms of pleurisy. Prescription codeine may help control a cough as well as the pain. If you have a large buildup of fluid, you may need to stay in the hospital to have the fluid drained continuously through a tube inserted into your chest.

The outcome of pleurisy treatment may depend on the seriousness of the underlying disease.

Lifestyle and home remedies Tests and diagnosis
References
  1. What are pleurisy and other disorders of the pleura? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pleurisy/pleurisy_whatare.html. Accessed Dec. 30, 2010.
  2. Poznak MV. Pleurisy. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00025-1--sc30630&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1096727073&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00025-1--sc30630&uniqId=230257626-6#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00025-1--sc30630. Accessed Dec. 30, 2010.
  3. Pleuropulmonary disorders. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00030-4--s0050&isbn=978-1-4160-4710-0&sid=1096727073&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00030-4--s0055&uniqId=230257626-6#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00030-4--s0055. Accessed Dec. 30, 2010.
  4. Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 3, 2011.
DS00244 March 1, 2011

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