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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no cure for pseudogout, but a combination of treatments can help relieve pain and improve the joint's function.
Medications
If over-the-counter pain relievers aren't enough, your doctor may suggest:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Prescription strength NSAIDs include naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others) and indomethacin (Indocin). NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding and decreased kidney function, especially in older adults.
- Colchicine (Colcrys). Low-dose pills of this gout drug are also effective for pseudogout. If you have frequent episodes of pseudogout, your doctor may recommend that you take colchicine daily as a preventive measure.
- Corticosteroids. If you can't take NSAIDs or colchicine, your doctor may suggest taking corticosteroid pills, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation and terminate the attack. Long-term use of corticosteroids can cause bone weakening, cataracts, diabetes and weight gain.
Joint drainage
To relieve pain and pressure in an affected joint, your doctor inserts a needle and removes some of the joint fluid. This also helps remove some of the crystals from the joint. The doctor will then inject the joint with a numbing medication and a corticosteroid to decrease inflammation.
References
- Pseudogout. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/pseudogout.asp. Accessed May 1, 2012.
- Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed May 1, 2012.
- Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed May 1, 2012.
- Becker MA, et al. Pathogenesis and etiology of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 1, 2012.
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012:5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..C2009-0-38601-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&uniqId=291436269-101. Accessed May 1, 2012.
- Becker MA, et al. Treatment of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 1, 2012.
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