Key TakeawaysMore studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion, but new research says there’s not enough evidence to tell people to avoid ibuprofen if they contract COVID-19.During the beginning of the pandemic, the World Health Organization advised COVID-19 patients against taking ibuprofen, but quickly changed its stance.Ibuprofen is not recommended for all patients because it can cause side effects, but those side effects were known before COVID-19.

Key Takeaways

More studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion, but new research says there’s not enough evidence to tell people to avoid ibuprofen if they contract COVID-19.During the beginning of the pandemic, the World Health Organization advised COVID-19 patients against taking ibuprofen, but quickly changed its stance.Ibuprofen is not recommended for all patients because it can cause side effects, but those side effects were known before COVID-19.

Ibuprofen is not linked to any harmful effects in people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, new research shows.

A report published on September 8 inPLOS Medicinefound no statistically significant outcomes between groups of people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 who took ibuprofen and those who did not take the medication.

This research dispels claims made at the beginning of the pandemic. In March, a report out of France published inBMJraised concerns about the potential for ibuprofen to make COVID-19 more severe. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned people not to take ibuprofen if they became infected, suggesting acetaminophen as an alternative.

The WHO’s warning drew criticism due to the lack of evidence. By April, the organization changed its stance, saying it no longer recommended against taking ibuprofen.

“I think the caution then was justified but the current data are clear: the worry is, in fact, not justified,”Ian Jones, PhD, a virology professor at University of Reading in the U.K., tells Verywell. Jones was not involved with either study.

What Is Ibuprofen?Ibuprofen is a popular over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. It belongs to a group of medications known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What Is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is a popular over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. It belongs to a group of medications known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Evaluating Ibuprofen in COVID-19 Patients

During the trial published inPlos Medicine, the scientists looked at data from 9,326 Danish residents who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between February 27 and April 29. Of the participants, 248 people (2.7%) filled a prescription for NSAIDs within 30 days of having a positive test.

Of those who tested positive and used the medications, 6.3% died, 24.5% were hospitalized, and 4.9% were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). In the group who tested positive and didn’t use ibuprofen, 6.1% died, 21.2% were hospitalized, and 4.7% went to the ICU. The figures from both groups were not statistically significant, the researchers say.

“Considering the available evidence, there is no reason to withdraw well-indicated use of NSAIDs during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic,” the authors write. There are well-known NSAID side effects, and that should be considered in any patient.

Side Effects of NSAIDsThe established side effects of NSAIDs include cardiac, gastrointestinal, and renal complications. People who have heart failure, a history of stroke or stomach ulcers, or chronic kidney disease should avoid NSAIDs.

Side Effects of NSAIDs

The established side effects of NSAIDs include cardiac, gastrointestinal, and renal complications. People who have heart failure, a history of stroke or stomach ulcers, or chronic kidney disease should avoid NSAIDs.

Anton Pottegårs, PhD, a clinical pharmacist in Denmark who authored thePLOS Medicinestudy, tells Verywell that more research to replicate the findings would be a positive addition. But because the initial theory about the danger of ibuprofen was based on a hypothetical situation, he believes his research provides enough data to alleviate concerns.

Ibuprofen and ACE2 Expression: Another COVID-19 Risk?

The idea that ibuprofen boosts ACE2 expression and could therefore make COVID-19 worse in some people, however, comes from rat studies. It is not known if ibuprofen raises ACE2 levels in humans.

“While animal models suggested certain medications that raise ACE2 could permit easier entry of the COVID-19 virus, studies in humans taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs have not resulted in an increased risk of COVID-19,”Michael Miller, MD, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, tells Verywell.

What This Means For YouIf you already take ibuprofen and happen to contract COVID-19, researchers don’t think taking it will make the infection worse.

What This Means For You

If you already take ibuprofen and happen to contract COVID-19, researchers don’t think taking it will make the infection worse.

Is There Enough Evidence to Safely Take Ibuprofen?

“It is hard for any single study to be definitive,”David M. Aronoff, MD, a professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells Verywell. “[But] unless people have a pre-existing reason to avoid ibuprofen—such as gastric ulcer disease or kidney problems—then ibuprofen and related NSAIDs are acceptable as fever-relieving and pain-relieving medications in the setting of COVID-19."

The Danish study was a retrospective epidemiological study that used pharmacy records to associate NSAID exposure to patients subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19, Aronoff explains.

“The investigators did not study the dose of the NSAID or frequency of NSAID use prior to infection, so we cannot be sure that patients took the medications they filled at the pharmacy, and we cannot know how often they took said medication,” he says. “I think the study has several limitations. It is not the same as a prospectively conducted randomized and controlled trial."

That said, none of the studies published so far related to NSAID use and COVID-19 should change prescribing behavior, Aronoff says.

Miller notes thatadditional researchis underway to further examine the role ibuprofen and other medications may have on the severity of COVID-19. In the meantime, anyone concerned about taking ibuprofen if they get COVID-19 should discuss it with their doctor.

“The evidence at this time does not appear to warrant discontinuation of this medication solely due to COVID-19.” Miller says.

Jones agrees.

“I think this is enough to be sure we need not worry about ibuprofen use going forward,” Jones says.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Lund L, et al.Adverse outcomes and mortality in users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2: A Danish nationwide cohort study.PLOS Medicine.Sept. 2020. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003308

Soeiro T, et al.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and covid-19.BMJ. March. doi:10.1136/bmj.m1185

World Health Organization.The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with COVID-19. April 2020.

Fang L, Karakiulakis G, Roth M.Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID-19 infection?The Lancet.March 2020. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30116-8

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