Pediatric Costochondritis Medication

  • Author: Joseph P Garry, MD, FACSM, FAAFP; Chief Editor: Lawrence K Jung, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 22, 2010
 

Medication Summary

NSAIDs provide analgesia for mild-to-moderate chest pain and may modulate the presumed inflammatory process. Purely analgesic drugs (eg, acetaminophen, tramadol hydrochloride) may suffice.

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Class Summary

These provide analgesia and may play a role in controlling inflammation.

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Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Ibuprin)

 

Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis.

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Naproxen (Aleve)

 

Available as OTC preparation and in prescription form; OTC preparation has faster onset of action, though limited duration of action. Prescription form is available in both pill and elixir forms and has a convenient bid-dosing schedule.

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Analgesics

Class Summary

These may be used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain.

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Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

 

May be used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain. Inhibits prostaglandin synthetase in the CNS by inhibiting cyclooxygenase.

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Tramadol hydrochloride (Ultram)

 

Inhibits ascending pain pathways, altering perception of and response to pain. Also inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Joseph P Garry, MD, FACSM, FAAFP  Associate Professor, Sports Medicine Faculty, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School

Joseph P Garry, MD, FACSM, FAAFP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and North American Primary Care Research Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Barry L Myones, MD  Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology, Pediatric Rheumatology Section, Baylor College of Medicine; Director of Research, Pediatric Rheumatology Center, Texas Children's Hospital

Barry L Myones, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, American Heart Association, American Society for Microbiology, Clinical Immunology Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James M Oleske, MD, MPH  François-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School

James M Oleske, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David D Sherry, MD  Director, Clinical Rheumatology, Attending Physician, Pain Management, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania

David D Sherry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Rheumatology and American Pain Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP  Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine

Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Lawrence K Jung, MD  Chief, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Children's National Medical Center

Lawrence K Jung, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology Society, and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  15. Mukamel M, Kornreich L, Horev G, Zeharia A, Mimouni M. Tietze's syndrome in children and infants. J Pediatr. Nov 1997;131(5):774-5. [Medline].

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  17. Rowe BH, Dulberg CS, Peterson RG. Characteristics of children presenting with chest pain to a pediatric emergency department. CMAJ. Sep 1 1990;143(5):388-94. [Medline].

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Sternocostal and interchondral articulations. Anterior view.
 
 
 
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