Updated guidance on use of NSAIDs and COVID-19

There have been a number of reports, particularly on social media, suggesting that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, could worsen symptoms of COVID-19. In response to this, guidance has now been issued by a number of regulatory agencies, including the World Health Organisation, the European Medicines Agency and the UK Commission on Human Medicines. This guidance indicates that there is currently no scientific evidence to support these reports and no reason for patients taking NSAIDs regularly to interrupt their treatment.

Whilst aspirin is classed as a NSAID, the doses given to participants in the trial are not expected to have the anti-inflammatory effects associated with ibuprofen and other similar drugs. Given this, and the guidance above, trial participants are not being recommended to stop their treatment at this time. However, we are constantly reviewing/monitoring the situation and responding to any changes to the advice given.

Participants in the trial are advised to use paracetamol rather than ibuprofen for fever or flu like symptoms (because ibuprofen should not normally be used at the same time as aspirin).

More detailed advice for participants in relation to COVID-19 can be found here.