The French Minister of Health, Dr. Olivier Véran, stirred up lot of controversy with a Tweet last week. If you read French, you can find it here. The translation is just below.
He suggested that people should not take ibuprofen for COVID-19 fevers.
“The taking of anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, cortisone …) could be a factor in aggravating the infection. In case of fever, take paracetamol. If you are already taking anti-inflammatory drugs, ask your doctor’s advice.”
Paracetamol is known as acetaminophen in the US. You might be familiar with it under the brand-name Tylenol.
Dr. Véran is not alone. Around the same time, the French ministry of health issued a warning that using NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for COVID-19 symptoms has been linked to serious complications in possible or confirmed cases. The advice to the French public was to take paracetamol in the case of any viral respiratory infection.
What Is the Controversy About Ibuprofen for COVID-19?
Many American experts strongly disagree with the minister. Apparently, there is no published research confirming that ibuprofen, for example, makes the viral infection worse. Scientists who study infection and inflammation say the risks are hypothetical at this point.
The principal investigator of a clinical trial of treatments for COVID-19 said there is
“no scientific data in humans in favor or against ibuprofen or paracetamol.”
He was referring specifically to COVID-19 infections.
Others say that acetaminophen would usually be the first choice to treat fever and sore throat when so much is still unknown. It is less likely than ibuprofen or naproxen to irritate the digestive tract or strain the kidneys. Older people, who are most susceptible to death from COVID-19, are also most vulnerable to serious side effects from such NSAIDs.
Caution Advised for Acetaminophen:
Even if acetaminophen (aka APAP) turns out to be safer than ibuprofen for COVID-19 symptoms, people should use it with care. This compound is found in many different products sold for colds and flu. Consequently, people may take too much without realizing it. This can damage the liver.
