Cardiovascular
Medicines for Kawasaki disease
A rare illness mainly affecting young children that causes prolonged fever and inflammation of blood vessels — treated promptly to protect the heart.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that mainly affects children under five, in which blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed. Its hallmark is a high fever lasting five days or more that does not respond to usual measures, together with several other features that may include a rash, red eyes (without discharge), red and cracked lips and a "strawberry" tongue, swollen and red hands and feet (with later peeling of the skin), and swollen glands in the neck.
- How it is treated: Kawasaki disease is treated in hospital, and prompt treatment is important to reduce the risk of heart complications.
- Self-care: This is an acute childhood illness rather than a lifestyle-related condition.
- When to seek help: See a doctor urgently if a child has a high fever lasting five days or more, especially with a rash, red eyes, red cracked lips, a "strawberry" tongue, or red, swollen hands and feet.
What it is
Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that mainly affects children under five, in which blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed. Its hallmark is a high fever lasting five days or more that does not respond to usual measures, together with several other features that may include a rash, red eyes (without discharge), red and cracked lips and a "strawberry" tongue, swollen and red hands and feet (with later peeling of the skin), and swollen glands in the neck. The cause is not fully understood. The most important concern is that, if untreated, it can affect the coronary arteries that supply the heart, sometimes causing them to weaken or bulge. Because prompt treatment greatly reduces this risk, early recognition matters.
How it is treated
Kawasaki disease is treated in hospital, and prompt treatment is important to reduce the risk of heart complications. The main treatment is an infusion of immunoglobulin (antibodies given into a vein), which reduces the inflammation, usually along with aspirin (used here under specialist guidance, unlike its usual avoidance in children). Most children respond well and recover fully. The heart, particularly the coronary arteries, is assessed with an echocardiogram (heart scan) and followed up, as ongoing care depends on whether the arteries were affected. Some children need additional treatment if the illness does not settle. Because it can look like other childhood illnesses, a prolonged high fever with these features should always be assessed.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Kawasaki disease
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
This is an acute childhood illness rather than a lifestyle-related condition. After recovery, attending cardiac follow-up (especially if the coronary arteries were affected) and following specialist advice are important.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a doctor urgently if a child has a high fever lasting five days or more, especially with a rash, red eyes, red cracked lips, a "strawberry" tongue, or red, swollen hands and feet. Trust your instincts and seek help for a child who is very unwell.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Kawasaki disease: frequently asked questions
Why is Kawasaki disease treated urgently?
Because, if untreated, it can affect the coronary arteries supplying the heart, sometimes causing them to weaken or bulge. Prompt treatment with immunoglobulin greatly reduces this risk, so early recognition is important.
Do children recover from Kawasaki disease?
Most children respond well to prompt treatment and recover fully. The heart is checked and followed up, as ongoing care depends on whether the coronary arteries were affected.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Kawasaki disease
- RCPCH — Kawasaki disease guidance
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.