When is anti-inflammatory medication recommended for pseudogout?

Pseudogout, also called calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, happens when crystals irritate a joint. The resulting inflammation can cause sudden warmth, tenderness, stiffness and swelling, often in a knee, wrist or another large joint. Medicine targets the inflammatory response; it does not remove the crystals or establish the diagnosis by itself.

A clinician may choose an anti-inflammatory tablet or another option according to the joint involved, flare intensity, kidney function, stomach history, blood pressure, heart health and other medicines. Do not combine products or exceed the labelled dose. Rest the joint, use a wrapped cool pack for short periods and arrange assessment if this is a first attack or the diagnosis is uncertain.

Seek urgent medical care for a hot, swollen joint with fever, chills, marked illness or rapidly worsening pain, because a joint infection can resemble pseudogout. Seek immediate help for severe stomach pain, vomiting blood, black stools, facial swelling or breathing difficulty after taking medicine.

Ask which medicine fits your kidney, stomach and heart history, how long to use it, what to avoid combining with it, and whether fluid from the joint should be tested.