So CAN you take ibuprofen to treat coronavirus? Australia fires back after French minister claimed the painkiller makes symptoms worse
- French minister claimed that ibuprofen could worsen coronavirus symptoms
- Australian health officials hit back and said not enough was known about virus
- Britain’s NHS no longer recommends taking ibuprofen for coronavirus symptoms
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Australian health officials have rubbished claims that ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs make coronavirus symptoms worse.
France’s health minister Oliver Veran claimed on Saturday that the over-the-counter painkiller could aggravate COVID-19.
‘Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, cortisone …) could be an aggravating factor for the infection. If you have a fever, take paracetamol,’ Mr Veran said.
Debate is still raging around whether ibuprofen aggravates the symptoms of COVID-19 or not with some health officials claiming it does and others saying there is little to no evidence backing the claim
Australia’s Department of Health rejected claims from the French Health Minister that ibuprofen aggravates COVID-19 however the NHS in England has removed it from their advice list for stay-at-home care
Australia’s Department of Health hit back on Tuesday and said that not enough was known about the virus to fully understand the effects of taking ibuprofen.
‘Over the counter anti-inflammatories … may play a role in general symptomatic management of mild cases of COVID-19 disease,’ a Department of Health spokesperson said.
‘There have been examples of more potent anti-inflammatories used such as corticosteroids as one of many drugs being administered to stabilize those who are critically ill.
‘Evaluation of their effectiveness in this setting is ongoing including in the Australian health care context.’
Meanwhile Nurofen producer Reckitt Benckiser sought to quash warnings against taking the drug on Monday.
The company said it was not aware of any evidence that the pills’ active ingredient ibuprofen adversely impacted patients.
‘RB has neither received new safety information nor been involved in the evaluation of any adverse events regarding the use of ibuprofen in COVID-19,’ the company said on Monday.
‘Appropriate use of ibuprofen and paracetamol is still currently being recommended by most European health authorities as part of the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19.’
Debate started to rage after Amelia Milner (pictured), four, who has suspected coronavirus, was given ibuprofen and experienced a raft of problems including a spike in temperature and vomiting
There are more than 450 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia and five people have died as debate continues to rage around what people should or shouldn’t take
However, Britain’s NHS has removed ibuprofen from its suggested painkillers for people suffering from coronavirus, and not recommends paracetamol instead.
The issue was highlighted when a four-year-old British girl was given ibuprofen by her parents after she became ill with a cough and a fever – the hallmark symptoms of coronavirus.
Instead of making her feel better, the painkiller appeared to make her temperature spike.
She began shaking, panting, couldn’t keep her eyes open and vomited, according to her stepfather, Dan Collins.
In a moving Facebook post, Mr Collins shared a photo of Amelia and warned: ‘If your child has symptoms of coronavirus, DO NOT give them ibuprofen.’
Amelia was given ibuprofen as her mum and stepfather were unable to get any Calpol. She has not been tested for coronavirus because she is not in hospital.