EMA: No evidence linking ibuprofen to worsening of COVID-19

The press and social media have raised questions about whether ibuprofen could worsen the condition of patients infected with COVID-19. The European Medicines Agency reports that there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest this. The Data Analytics Center of the Danish Medicines Agency now launches an ultra-quick study.

The European Medicines Agency, EMA, has published a press release stating that there is no evidence that the use of ibuprofen, a medicine to reduce fever and pain, could worsen the condition of patients who are infected with COVID-19.

The EMA has issued the press release after reports in the press and social media suggesting this to be the case.

The Data Analytics Center of the Danish Medicines Agency now teams up with the University of Southern Denmark and Aarhus University to conduct a study of the effect of ibuprofen, etc. in patients with severe pneumonia, including patients infected with COVID-19. Urgent priority is given to this study, and we expect the results to be presented within a couple of weeks.

Treatment of fever and pain in COVID-19 infection

The Danish Health Authority generally recommends using paracetamol instead of painkillers like ibuprofen to treat most moderate pain, including symptoms of respiratory viral infections that could be caused by COVID-19.

Read the EMA’s press release: EMA gives advice on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for COVID-19.

Read more information in Danish in the notice from the Danish Health Authority about fever and pain in respiratory viral infections and what OTC medicine you can choose.