Coronavirus: warning against ibuprofen which would worsen the infection

French Minister of Health Olivier Véran warned on Saturday against taking ibuprofen in people infected with the coronavirus, while France was calming down to try to curb the epidemic, the scale of which is impossible to predict. “Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, cortisone …) could be a factor in worsening the infection. In case of fever, take paracetamol. If you are already on anti-inflammatory drugs, or in case of doubt, ask your doctor for advice“said the minister.

The drug has not been on sale since mid-January in France

Ibuprofen, sold under this name and various trade names (such as Advil and Nurofen), is indeed likely to worsen already existing infections, with large possible complications. It is for this reason that since mid-January, it is no longer sold self-service in pharmacies (in France). This is also the case with aspirin, as well as paracetamol (Doliprane, Efferalgan …) which, when taken in too high doses, can itself cause serious liver damage, sometimes fatal.

Several doctors have mentioned cases of young Covid-19 patients without comorbidities, who find themselves in serious condition after taking ibuprofen for their fever.

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