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The BCFI, the Belgian Centre for Pharmacotherapeutic Information, warns against using NSAIDs in covid-19 patients.
Update: other experts claim that ther is insufficient proof: see below
The BCFI thus follows the advice of the French health services, which state that NSAIDs may be a risk factor for worsening the infection. ‘Do not use NSAIDs or acetylsalicy acid (ASA) for fever-infestation in patients with potentially covid-19 (coronavirus infection), BCFI warns. These medicines do not offer any advantage over acetaminophen. ‘If necessary, paracetamol can be used in a dosage of 2 to 3 grams per day’, writes BCFI.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen, better known as brufen, Nurofen or Junifen. Do not use acetylsalicy acid either, with the brand name for example Aspirin.
Paracetamol is allowed
What is allowed is acetaminophen, an example of a brand name is Dafalgan or Perdolan (provided that it is not a combination product with acetylsalicylic acid).
Patients who use chronic NSAIDs should consult with their doctor. Always contact your doctor or pharmacist when asked about the use of medication for yourself or your children.
Update:
CNN: France says ibuprofen may aggravate corona virus. Experts say more evidence is needed
His suggestion was criticized by some health experts, who cited the lack of publicly available evidence suggesting a link between ibuprofen and adverse effects of the coronavirus. There is currently no published scientific evidence that the virus is worsened by ibuprofen.
Nonetheless, Veran’s recommendation came on the same day that the French government reported that “grave adverse effects” linked to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) — the family of drugs that includes ibuprofen — have “been identified with patients affected by Covid-19, in potential or confirmed cases.”
“We repeat that the treatment of a fever or of pain linked to Covid-19 or to any other respiratory viral disease should be paracetamol,” the ministry’s new guidelines added. Paracetamol is typically known in the US as acetaminophen.
Veran’s tweet was widely shared, particularly in France, and the advice has raised questions over the impact of ibuprofen to treat the virus. CNN has contacted the French health ministry for comment.
“Deeply concerned about this bold statement,” Muge Cevik, a researcher at the University of St Andrews Infection and Global Health Division, said on Twitter. “There’s no scientific evidence I am aware of that ibuprofen [causes worse] outcomes in #COVID19.”
“I don’t think we’ve had any firm evidence to suggest that [ibuprofen aggravating Covid-19] is a concern at this point,” said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, professor of pediatrics and infectious disease epidemiologist at Stanford University in California.
But other experts suggested that Veran’s advice is in line with some countries’ general guidance on anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, even if their specific connection to the coronavirus is not clear.
“There is a good reason to avoid ibuprofen as it may exacerbate acute kidney injury brought on by any severe illness, including severe Covid-19 disease. There isn’t yet any widely accepted additional reason to avoid it for Covid-19,” Rupert Beale, a group leader in Cell Biology of Infection at the UK’s Francis Crick Institute, told the UK’s Science Media Centre.
NSAIDs might affect how Covid-19 binds to human cells, according to Dr. Yogen Kanthi, assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Michigan, who studies inflammation.
“There is data from basic science studies that have shown that Covid-19 itself binds to a protein at the surface of cells called ACE2,” he said. “There is a hypothetical risk that giving NSAIDs like ibuprofen could increase levels of ACE2 shown in animal models, but not in patients.”
Experts also said they hadn’t seen any evidence regarding Veran’s statement about cortisone as an aggravating factor of Covid-19. “The data is quite unclear,” said Kanthi.
There may be a risk in over-suppressing the immune response necessary to fight off the infection, according to Maldonado, “But I don’t think there’s any evidence so far to suggest that.”
Several doctors and researchers said more evidence is needed before any links between ibuprofen and Covid-19 symptoms are drawn, and patients who have been prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs for long-term health problems should talk to their doctors before changing any medications.
Paracetamol ‘generally preferred’ over ibuprofen
Ibuprofen, an NSAID, is often used to treat fever, one of the most common symptoms of the virus.
“Most deaths from Covid-19 have been among older people and those with underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease. We already know that NSAIDs should be prescribed with caution for people who have underlying health conditions,” Charlotte Warren-Gash, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said.
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, meanwhile, recommends prescribing the lowest dose of ibuprofen for the shortest duration to patients with underlying conditions, to prevent side effects including cardiovascular or kidney problems. The NHS advises using ibuprofen over paracetamol for inflammatory problems like arthritis, but warns against taking it for long periods.
But Britain is not following France’s lead in advising coronavirus patients to avoid ibuprofen. The Public Health England agency says there is not enough evidence to suggest people switch to other painkillers.
“For COVID-19, research is needed into the effects of specific NSAIDs among people with different underlying health conditions, which takes into account the severity of infection,” Warren-Gash added.
“In the meantime, for treating symptoms such as fever and sore throat, it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice.”
Tom Wingfield, a lecturer and consultant physician at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, also advised that paracetamol “would generally be preferred” over ibuprofen in most cases.
He said paracetamol is less likely to cause side effects than ibuprofen, which has been found to cause stomach and kidney irritation in some people.
“It is not clear from the French Minister’s comments whether the advice given is generic ‘good practice’ guidance or specifically related to data emerging from cases of Covid-19, but this might become clear in due course,” he added.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to sweeping restrictions in France and across Europe. The country announced on Saturday it is closing restaurants, cafes, cinemas and clubs in an effort to increase social distancing.
CNN