No evidence confirms reports that blood pressure medicines could worsen COVID-19

After several specialist media and patient organisations in Denmark have disproved reports that ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers could worsen the condition of COVID-19 patients, the European Medicines Agency now sends the same message.

It is important that patients do not interrupt their treatment, and there is no need to switch to other medicines. This is the message to the many Danes who take ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (blood-pressure medicines) after rumours had been circulated that these types of medicines could worsen the condition for persons infected with COVID-19.

There is no evidence to support this says the European Medicines Agency after specialist media and patient organisations sent out the same message over a week ago.

Don’t share reports and rumours uncritically

The public’s great awareness on medicines and COVID-19 is only natural. Yet, some reports and rumours could cause unnecessary alarm with the consequence that people change their behaviour, for example by stopping to take their medicines, and this can be life-threatening.

We therefore advise everyone to be extra careful, for example by avoiding the uncritical sharing of reports and rumours on social media.

Read more

13 March 2020: European Society of Cardiology: Position Statement of the ESC Council on Hypertension on ACE-Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers

17 March 2020: American College of Cardiology: HFSA/ACC/AHA Statement Addresses Concerns Re: Using RAAS Antagonists in COVID-19.