Coronavirus: Carrier should stop taking ibuprofen, consult doctor first-WHO
World Health Organisation (WHO), has warned that people, who suspect they have caught coronavirus should desist from taking the popular drug, ibuprofen until they consult a doctor.
WHO gave the warning on Tuesday, pointing to the ongoing research into possible negative effects, adding that the group of paracetamols includes ibuprofen, aspirin and other drugs.
Spokesman of WHO, Mr. Christian Lindmeier, explained to a Geneva news conference that there are no recent studies that link the anti-inflammatory drug with increase mortality rates, adding that experts are currently investigating the matter.
According to Lindmeier, “We recommend paracetamol, not ibuprofen in self-medication”
The UN agency’s comments came after leading French health officials warned against using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) against the coronavirus disease.
A recent article in the medical journal “The Lancet” put forward the hypothesis that some drugs including ibuprofen might pose a risk for COVID-19 patients, who also suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes.
Lindmeier also reported that two WHO staff members have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Several hundred WHO staffers started working remotely from home on Tuesday.
The UN health agency no longer invites journalists to its premises to update them on the coronavirus pandemic, but broadcasts its briefings on social media.