Using Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen for COVID-19 Fever and Symptoms

The COVD-19 virus continues to spread through the population, and we still have not developed a treatment for the infection. The mainstay therapy we use for people with mild to moderate symptoms is supportive therapy, which includes the use of analgesics such as ibuprofen for pain and fever.

There have been reports about potential harms caused by the use of ibuprofen in patients with COVID-19. The original reports of problems came from an infectious disease specialist in France who reported four cases of children who took ibuprofen and experienced a worsening of their COVID-19 symptoms. 

This concern was echoed by the French Health Minister and the World Health Organization (WHO). Other European professional entities, including the National Health Services and the British Pharmacological Society, have taken a less harsh approach but are still suggesting that patients should use acetaminophen as the first drug of choice until more evidence is collected.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now retracted its earlier warning against using ibuprofen.

Currently, without a clinical trial using both ibuprofen and acetaminophen, we cannot say which drug might be superior or if ibuprofen might pose any additional dangers to people with COVID-19.  Until then, we cannot say that using ibuprofen should be restricted in people with COVID-19, but it might be better to first discuss with your doctor which drug you should take to treat any COVID-19 symptoms and fever.