Can't use ibuprofen to reduce fever after being infected with COVID-19 virus? doctor tell you the truth
Today, China has released another new policy for epidemic prevention and control, that is, the new 10 epidemic prevention measures, which are more resolute and larger than the previous adjustments to optimize the 20 epidemic prevention and control measures. Asymptomatic infections and mild cases are generally isolated at home, or they can voluntarily choose centralized isolation and treatment. It can be said that the new ten rules for epidemic prevention sounded the decisive clarion call for China to get out of the haze of the COVID-19 epidemic!
Undoubtedly, under the new situation, there may be more and more infected people, and we know that the main symptom after infection with the new coronavirus is fever, and many people will choose to take antipyretic drugs in order to relieve a series of uncomfortable symptoms caused by high fever, especially for For special populations such as the elderly and children, when the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, giving an appropriate amount of antipyretic drugs can relieve systemic symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and even convulsions caused by fever. Aminophenols and ibuprofen too.
However, recent articles on the Internet about taking ibuprofen to reduce fever in patients with COVID-19 have caused a lot of panic. Can ibuprofen be used to reduce fever after being infected with COVID-19 virus? Which drug is safer to use to reduce fever?
Can ibuprofen reduce fever after infection with COVID-19 virus?
As early as March 2020, an article published in The Lancet magazine that ibuprofen can increase the level of ACE2, and ACE2 is the gateway for the COVID-19 virus to invade the human body, so the author of the article recommends that people infected with the COVID-19 virus should not use it Articles on ibuprofen. Once this article was published, it caused heated discussions among many professionals, and many clinicians were at a loss.
In the next two years, a large number of scholars began to study the clinical effects of antipyretic drugs such as ibuprofen in COVID-19 infected patients from the perspective of evidence-based medicine. Ibuprofen is a classic antipyretic drug that has been used for nearly half a century. However, in the past two years, there have been many speculations and criticisms. Theoretical speculation does not represent clinical results. We cannot use speculation to verify the facts. We must have scientific data to support the results. In the past two years, a large number of systematic reviews and meta-analysis results show that After taking more than 4.86 million subjects, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are relatively safe. This result can make everyone feel at ease after being infected with the COVID-19 virus. Ibuprofen is relatively safe for fever reduction.
Which antipyretic drug is safer for fever caused by COVID-19?
Fever is a protective response of the body. When the body temperature rises, the body's immune response will increase accordingly. When the body temperature is lower than 38.5°C, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and not rush to use antipyretic drugs. However, when the body temperature continues to rise and the physical discomfort increases, or the elderly and children with relatively weak constitutions, the use of antipyretics, that is, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, can relieve physical discomfort to a certain extent. The most commonly used and safe antipyretic Medications include acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Acetaminophen has a strong antipyretic effect, less irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, and no damage to liver and kidney functions under normal doses, but the duration is relatively short, and the antipyretic effect disappears within 4 to 6 hours. It is a relatively safe and effective antipyretic. hot medicine. The antipyretic effect of ibuprofen is similar to that of acetaminophen, but it has a longer-lasting effect, less irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, and is more convenient to use. No matter which antipyretic you choose, it is recommended to read the drug instructions carefully before using it, and use it strictly according to the usage and dosage. During the antipyretic period, add more water and electrolytes. In order to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort, it is recommended to take it after meals. If you take it for more than 3 days, the symptoms will not improve. For relief, consult a doctor promptly.
Summarize
Therefore, I would like to remind everyone that the fever caused by COVID-19 is only a symptom of the patient, and the use of antipyretic drugs is only symptomatic treatment, and cannot eliminate the COVID-19 virus itself. As a member of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug family, ibuprofen, So far, a lot of evidence has proved that the safety of ibuprofen is relatively certain. The controversy has promoted the progress of research and the development of medicine. Therefore, it is recommended that the public should not panic and use antipyretics rationally.
references:
[1] Moore N , Bosco-Levy P , Thurin N , et al. NSAIDs and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis[J]. Drug Safety:1-10.
[2] Davidson R . Study Finds NSAIDs Safe During COVID-19Treatment[J]. U. S. pharmacist, 2020(4):45.