The goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms during fever episodes, shorten their duration, and prevent the recurrence of similar episodes in the future. In most children, the disease resolves on its own without treatment, usually after the age of 10 years, but the exact age cannot be predicted. Typically, the fever does not respond well to fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Administering a single dose of steroids (usually prednisone) at the beginning of the episode has been proven effective in shortening the duration of the event and sometimes even leads to its termination. However, this treatment may shorten the time between two episodes and bring the next episode closer.
The medication colchicine (used for treating familial Mediterranean fever) may prevent fever episodes in about 50% of the treated individuals. Another medication mentioned in the literature, cimetidine (used for peptic ulcers and reflux), is less effective than colchicine.
Some studies have found that surgical removal of the tonsils (with adenoidectomy - "the third tonsil") cures this syndrome in the vast majority of patients (over 85%). Families whose children suffer from frequent attacks may sometimes choose to undergo this surgery. However, one should consider the small risk of serious complications after tonsil removal, especially post-operative bleeding.