My male friend's, 39, hand has been swollen for a week now & hurts around the wrist. bp 101/71, anti-inflamm meds & codeine isn't helping...thoughts?

See below: You describe symptoms that can only be honestly assessed by his doctor in his or her office. Only after a thorough evauation will he/she be able to come up with what's wrong and what to do to get him better.

I agree: The symptoms you described and despite intake of the medications his symptoms have persisted, it is best that the patient be evaluated by a physician. There are numerous causes and just taking pain relievers is not the way to go.