04/01/2020
Infographic Created by our awesome APhA GenRx Head Chair
If you go into your local grocery store it may be almost impossible to find. Along with toilet paper 🧻 and disinfectants 🧼, Tylenol 💊 is currently flying of the shelves...
If you Google search “ibuprofen and covid19” some of the headlines out there “ibuprofen worsens coronavirus” and “viral text warns taking Advil could make COVID19 worse”... 👀 in response to these news reports the put out a statement that there is no scientific evidence to support these theories.
That’s why today we’re gonna talk about the facts about ibuprofen use.
The study that was reported by the Lancet was done with good intentions to elucidate the many unknowns about the coronavirus. But mixed with biases and misinformation that were blasted by media and politicians a frenzy ensued over avoiding ibuprofen to avoid worse symptoms if one were to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2.
There is in vitro studies 🧫 that do show SARS-CoV-2 🦠 enters the host cell by ACE2 but there is no concrete evidence to directly like NSAIDs like ibuprofen to increasing ACE2 and thereby no link that use would worsen outcomes. 😷
NSAIDs are good for inflammation, fever, and peripheral pain. There are some patient populations who need to avoid use of NSAIDs and instead are recommended to use Tylenol for fever and pain. One of these are pregnant patients.🤰🏼There is some evidence from observational studies that have shown that in uterine exposure to NSAIDs has led to birth defects. Additionally elderly and patients with severe renal dysfunction are at greater risk for adverse effects, like GI inflammation and ulcers.
Consult your P*P or local pharmacist if you have any concerns about the use of NSAIDs and rely on them for long term treatment of chronic diseases like gout or arthritis. Always ready the full drug facts label on the medication bottle.
