What medicine to take for symptoms of costochondritis
Costochondritis is a common chest pain disease characterized by inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs connect to the sternum. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on the entire Internet about the treatment and medication of costochondritis. The following is a summary of hot topics and hot content in the past 10 days, combined with structured data to give you a detailed introduction to the symptoms and medication recommendations of costochondritis.
1. Common symptoms of costochondritis

Symptoms of costochondritis mainly include chest pain, localized tenderness, and limited mobility. The following is a detailed classification of symptoms:
| Symptom type | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| chest pain | The pain is usually located next to the sternum and can radiate to the back or shoulders |
| local tenderness | There is obvious pain when pressing the connection between ribs and sternum |
| Restricted activities | Pain that worsens when taking deep breaths, coughing, or moving your upper limbs |
2. Commonly used drugs for costochondritis
Medications for the treatment of costochondritis mainly include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, and topical medications. The following are specific medication recommendations:
| drug type | Representative medicine | Usage and dosage | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac | 200-400mg each time, 2-3 times a day | Avoid taking on an empty stomach, patients with stomach problems should use with caution |
| painkillers | Acetaminophen | 500mg each time, 3-4 times a day | The total daily dose does not exceed 4000mg |
| topical medication | diclofenac gel | Apply to affected area 2-3 times daily | Avoid contact with wounds or mucous membranes |
3. Adjuvant treatment of costochondritis
In addition to drug treatment, symptoms of costochondritis can be relieved through the following auxiliary methods:
| Helper method | Specific operations | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Hot compress | Apply hot compress to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every day | Relieve local inflammation and pain |
| physical therapy | Gentle massage or stretching | Improve blood circulation and reduce stiffness |
| rest | Avoid strenuous exercise or weight bearing | Reduce further damage to cartilage |
4. Preventive measures for costochondritis
The key to preventing costochondritis is to avoid triggers. Here are some common prevention suggestions:
| Precautions | Specific methods |
|---|---|
| Avoid overexertion | Reasonably arrange work and rest time |
| Pay attention to posture | Maintain correct sitting and standing posture |
| moderate exercise | Strengthen chest and back muscles |
5. When do you need medical treatment?
If the following situations occur, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly:
| Symptoms | Possible reasons |
|---|---|
| persistent severe pain | May be complicated by other diseases such as angina pectoris |
| Fever or redness or swelling | Possible infective costochondritis |
| Medication is ineffective | Further examination is needed to rule out other causes |
Although costochondritis is common, most patients can quickly relieve their symptoms with reasonable drug treatment and auxiliary methods. If symptoms persist or worsen, be sure to seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying your condition.
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