Ibuprofen: Is It Wrong To Take It For The Coronavirus?

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

The case of the girl Amelia Milner, a 4-year-old British girl who, according to relatives, worsened when she was given ibuprofen because she had coronavirus symptoms has had a lot of impact.

The minor resident in South Gloucestershire had to be assisted by medical personnel after she was given a dose of the popular anti-inflammatory drug because she had a fever. Her case has given a lot to talk about, especially since some confusion has arisen over whether to take ibuprofen if you have any of the symptoms associated with the coronavirus. According to some medical sources. That and other anti-inflammatories could be a risk for people with infectious diseases by reducing the response of the immune system.

Dr. Aliza Lifshitz, renowned Mexican internist and editorial director of the Life and Health program, clarifies the doubts:

Where did so much confusion about the use of ibuprofen come from?

There was an article that was published in a medical journal [called] The Lancet Respiratory Journal that hypothesized that ibuprofen could possibly worsen coronavirus cases. Even [ Olivier Véran], France's health minister, on March 17, via social media, said that ibuprofen was not recommended. And the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 17 said the same.

When did things change?

On March 18, the WHO backed down and said there was no scientific evidence and that there was no problem using ibuprofen. And other organizations like the University of Columbia Public Health have said the same.

So can it be used to alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19?

If someone is concerned you can always use acetaminophen or Tylenol to reduce fever. But that it was originally thought that ibuprofen could cause greater severity in coronavirus cases or that it could cause some harm, either in children or adults infected with coronavirus, seems to have not been documented. It was an initial hypothesis. Probably what happened to the girl was a coincidence. At this time there does not appear to be a contraindication.

Anything else to consider when taking ibuprofen?

Normal conditions: if you are taking a blood thinning medicine that is an anticoagulant or if you have kidney problems, stomach problems and certainly not given to children under six months. All of those contraindications continue.

-If you are looking for more information on medical issues and COVID-19, HITN-TV broadcasts a series of real-time capsules created in collaboration with The Health Channel, developments for the Hispanic community on its Life and Health television block.