The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued guidance on the use of ibuprofen for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
The MHRA acknowledges concern about the use of ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) in relation to COVID-19. However, it says, there is currently no research into ibuprofen and the new coronavirus. This includes:
- the link between ibuprofen and the likelihood of contracting the virus and
- the link between ibuprofen and worsening of coronavirus symptoms.
Patients who have confirmed COVID-19, or believe they have COVID-19, should be advised to take paracetamol in preference to ibuprofen. Patients already being treated with ibuprofen do not need to stop treatment.
There is some debate suggesting NSAIDs may increase complications from simple acute respiratory infections or slow recovery. The product information of many NSAIDs already contains warnings that their anti-inflammatory effects may hide the symptoms of a worsening infection. However, the evidence is not conclusive, the MHRA says.
In view of the current lack of research, the Commission on Human Medicines (an expert advisory body of MHRA) and NICE have been asked to review the evidence.
