Avoiding Ibuprofen is NOT "Fake News"

There have been stories saying that use of ibuprofen to treat symptoms of the coronavirus is not recommended, as it makes COVID-19 disease worse.  Media outlets have been labeling these stories as "fake news"-- but this is not exactly true.

Many governments and media outlets continue to rely on the claim that there is "no evidence that ibuprofen (or other NSAIDs) makes COVID-19 infection worse."  Of course that is true-- COVID-19 infections only starting appearing in China three months ago.  There is no possible way that research on that question could be funded and published in such a short time.

Nevertheless, medical professionals speaking to the BBC have said that ibuprofen is not recommended for managing coronavirus symptoms. 

The UK's National Health Service website previously recommended both paracetamol (Tylenol) and ibuprofen, but has since changed its advice.

"There is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make COVID-19 worse.  However, until we have more information, people should take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless they have been told by their doctor that paracetamol is not suitable for them," it says.

Even though it is still to early to see research on the use of ibuprofen with COVID-19 disease, research on the use of ibuprofen alongside respiratory infections suggests ibuprofen is linked to more complications and more severe illness, according to Paul Little, a professor of primary care research at University of Southampton.

Experts believe that ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory properties may "dampen" the body's immune response.  Professor Parastou Donyai at the University of Reading says: "There are many studies that suggest ibuprofen use during a respiratory infection can result in worsening of the disease or other complications."

The World Health Organization recommended this week that people suffering COVID-19 symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen.

The WHO suddenly eversed course two days later-- but not based on any new research, however.  It is unclear what or who pressured the WHO to change its recommendation.  In making the sudden change, the WHO said they "are not aware of reports of any negative effects of ibuprofen"-- a denial that is easily made given that we are only three months into this crisis and doctors are not focusing on such treatment outcomes.  The WHO also said they are "not aware of published clinical or population-based data on this topic."-- again, a denial that is easily made given that such research and data will only be available months or years from now.

The bottom line is this-- given all this uncertainty, why take the risk?  Avoid ibuprofen.