I was told after my transplant that I should never take Ibuprofen or any other NSAID ( non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). I don't actually know why but my doctor agrees so I don't take any. I'll ask him next time I see him! Which may be a while....
Welcome to May Connect. We are a "group of groups" - people who share their individual journeys with a variety of illnesses and conditions, support one another, and exchange information about treatments, challenges and side effects, and coping. I hope you find information here that is valuable to you.
Regarding ibuprofen and other NSAID drugs, I believe there has not been any widespread guidance on whether to continue to use if it is part of your daily medication routine. What has been reported is that , if you show signs of Covid-19 infection, NSAIDs appear to make symptoms worse in some cases.
As with many other aspects of Covid-19, there are no actual studies, with hard data, to support what is being reported - it is largely anecdotal, based on what is being observed. The studies will follow over time, as more data is available and doctors, scientists and the research community are past the first panic to find tests, treatments and a vaccine, then will have time to sift through the info and draw data-based conclusions.
So, the question is what to do in the meantime. If you regularly take ibuprofen or another NSAID, contact your doctor for guidance on whether to continue. This, by the way, is true for all regular medications. Some people have asked about discontinuing their regular doses of prednisone or other steroids because they suppress immune response - this must always be done under medical supervision, especially for long-term users. And, out of an abundance of caution, if you begin to feel ill with any of the symptoms of the virus, don't take any NSAIDs, use acetominaphen instead.
As a final note, Mayo's own Dr Poland continues to tell us our best defenses, at least until there are treatments and vaccines, are hand-washing, keeping hands off the face, and distancing.
Stay calm, stay safe and come back with any more questions.
Sue
@pollyanne Listen to your Dr about not taking anything but Tylenol Ibuprofen has been suspected of not working with viruses. This is what my Dr told me also just Tylenol .
The ibuprofen debate has just started circulating in my area of Florida by word of mouth. While I don’t normally take it because it is ototoxic it was my go to for minor inflammatory issues. I remember when my oldest grandson had pneumonia and some complications his Doctors did not want ibuprofen used at all. I thought nothing of it at that time.
I’m healthy with no medical conditions but older and will cease to use it. I am wondering if this will be addressed in the news at all. I can imagine the uproar by the manufacturers. While there apparently are no data or tests to back up any claims , I’m hearing of too many stories of people I know with some medical conditions or who have had the flu in the past being told by there Doctors to take Tylenol instead. This is going on years back.
So, to paraphrase Sherlock Holmes....”something’s afoot”
@pollyanne Listen to your Dr about not taking anything but Tylenol Ibuprofen has been suspected of not working with viruses. This is what my Dr told me also just Tylenol .
Hi @lioness. Yes I would do that if I managed to get hold of a Dr. I do not have the virus and am making sure that I don't but I did receive professional advice from the UK that Ibuprofen is not good with the virus. That's what they seem to have decided over there.
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 30, 2020
As others have mentioned, there are reports and debates circulating about the use of ibuprofen (Advil) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COVID-19. If you have been prescribed ibuprofen or other medication, it is suggested that you continue to take as directed by your doctor.
Until there is more scientific evidence on this issue, patients with mild to moderate fevers can consider alternative, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). It’s important to remember that over-the-counter drugs like Advil and Tylenol do not shorten the duration of the illness itself, but offer relief from fever and pain resulting from COVID-19.
Yes, this is exactly the advice that has been given by the UK government. Rumours abound and some people seem so keen to spread them. I live in a small rural village and I have heard twice from 'very reliable sources' that the virus is here at last. So far, there is no evidence at all. It is always someone told someone and the original is a doctor or a practice nurse or someone we trust. It is so sad. We all have enough to worry about without this extra burden.
I was told by my pharmacist and doctor that there have been some papers written on why ibuprofen should not be used as it will compromise the immune system and on the other hand other doctors are saying that it is fine.. Personally I don't like to take either medication but I have been trying to find a legit reason as to why seeing as my mother is diabetic and has chronic pancreatitis so I try to help her out when i can
Yes, this is exactly the advice that has been given by the UK government. Rumours abound and some people seem so keen to spread them. I live in a small rural village and I have heard twice from 'very reliable sources' that the virus is here at last. So far, there is no evidence at all. It is always someone told someone and the original is a doctor or a practice nurse or someone we trust. It is so sad. We all have enough to worry about without this extra burden.
Hello @wildcat - It id good practice to rely on reliable sources and not hear say.
Are all the proper messages being broadcast from reliable sources in your area of the world?
As an example daily briefings from local government or healthcare representatives.
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I was told after my transplant that I should never take Ibuprofen or any other NSAID ( non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). I don't actually know why but my doctor agrees so I don't take any. I'll ask him next time I see him! Which may be a while....
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1 ReactionI was told to use Tylenol if I had this virus.
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3 ReactionsWelcome to May Connect. We are a "group of groups" - people who share their individual journeys with a variety of illnesses and conditions, support one another, and exchange information about treatments, challenges and side effects, and coping. I hope you find information here that is valuable to you.
Regarding ibuprofen and other NSAID drugs, I believe there has not been any widespread guidance on whether to continue to use if it is part of your daily medication routine. What has been reported is that , if you show signs of Covid-19 infection, NSAIDs appear to make symptoms worse in some cases.
As with many other aspects of Covid-19, there are no actual studies, with hard data, to support what is being reported - it is largely anecdotal, based on what is being observed. The studies will follow over time, as more data is available and doctors, scientists and the research community are past the first panic to find tests, treatments and a vaccine, then will have time to sift through the info and draw data-based conclusions.
So, the question is what to do in the meantime. If you regularly take ibuprofen or another NSAID, contact your doctor for guidance on whether to continue. This, by the way, is true for all regular medications. Some people have asked about discontinuing their regular doses of prednisone or other steroids because they suppress immune response - this must always be done under medical supervision, especially for long-term users. And, out of an abundance of caution, if you begin to feel ill with any of the symptoms of the virus, don't take any NSAIDs, use acetominaphen instead.
As a final note, Mayo's own Dr Poland continues to tell us our best defenses, at least until there are treatments and vaccines, are hand-washing, keeping hands off the face, and distancing.
Stay calm, stay safe and come back with any more questions.
Sue
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@pollyanne Listen to your Dr about not taking anything but Tylenol Ibuprofen has been suspected of not working with viruses. This is what my Dr told me also just Tylenol .
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@gspaeni
Hi,
The ibuprofen debate has just started circulating in my area of Florida by word of mouth. While I don’t normally take it because it is ototoxic it was my go to for minor inflammatory issues. I remember when my oldest grandson had pneumonia and some complications his Doctors did not want ibuprofen used at all. I thought nothing of it at that time.
I’m healthy with no medical conditions but older and will cease to use it. I am wondering if this will be addressed in the news at all. I can imagine the uproar by the manufacturers. While there apparently are no data or tests to back up any claims , I’m hearing of too many stories of people I know with some medical conditions or who have had the flu in the past being told by there Doctors to take Tylenol instead. This is going on years back.
So, to paraphrase Sherlock Holmes....”something’s afoot”
FL Mary
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi @lioness. Yes I would do that if I managed to get hold of a Dr. I do not have the virus and am making sure that I don't but I did receive professional advice from the UK that Ibuprofen is not good with the virus. That's what they seem to have decided over there.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsAs others have mentioned, there are reports and debates circulating about the use of ibuprofen (Advil) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COVID-19. If you have been prescribed ibuprofen or other medication, it is suggested that you continue to take as directed by your doctor.
Until there is more scientific evidence on this issue, patients with mild to moderate fevers can consider alternative, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). It’s important to remember that over-the-counter drugs like Advil and Tylenol do not shorten the duration of the illness itself, but offer relief from fever and pain resulting from COVID-19.
If you're concerned, please contact your doctor.
Here are 2 articles that help explain:
- No scientific evidence that ibuprofen worsens COVID-19 symptoms https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2020/72633a-eng.php
- Myth busting: Setting the record straight on ibuprofen and COVID-19 https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/myth-busting-setting-the-record-straight-on-ibuprofen-and-covid-19/
It is always important to validate information you've heard from social media or friends by research trusted medical sources online.
@gspaeni do you regularly take ibuprofen? Is acetaminophen an appropriate alternative for you?
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5 ReactionsYes, this is exactly the advice that has been given by the UK government. Rumours abound and some people seem so keen to spread them. I live in a small rural village and I have heard twice from 'very reliable sources' that the virus is here at last. So far, there is no evidence at all. It is always someone told someone and the original is a doctor or a practice nurse or someone we trust. It is so sad. We all have enough to worry about without this extra burden.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI was told by my pharmacist and doctor that there have been some papers written on why ibuprofen should not be used as it will compromise the immune system and on the other hand other doctors are saying that it is fine.. Personally I don't like to take either medication but I have been trying to find a legit reason as to why seeing as my mother is diabetic and has chronic pancreatitis so I try to help her out when i can
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHello @wildcat - It id good practice to rely on reliable sources and not hear say.
Are all the proper messages being broadcast from reliable sources in your area of the world?
As an example daily briefings from local government or healthcare representatives.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions