THE World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated COVID-19 patients should not take ibuprofen without consulting a doctor, as there is ongoing research into possible negative effects on the virus.
Recommending paracetamol instead for self-medicating, World Health Organization spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that while there were no recent studies linking the anti-inflammatory drug with increased mortality rates, the matter was currently being investigated.
The WHO recommendation follows French Health Minister, Olivier Veran's warning against the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen for patients with COVID-19.
Medical journal The Lancet also recently suggested some drugs, including ibuprofen, might pose a risk for COVID-19 patients who also suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes, with infections potentially worsened by enzyme boosts brought on by anti-inflammatories.
The advice was endorsed by the UK's National Health Service (NHS), who redacted their advice to use the drug to treat coronavirus, as well as the UK Government's Chief Scientific Advisor, Patrick Vallance, who admitted avoiding the drug would be the "sensible thing to do".
"There is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make COVID-19 worse," advice posted yesterday on the NHS website read.
"Until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you.
"If you are already taking ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory on the advice of a doctor, do not stop taking it without checking first."
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