Taking ibuprofen does not increase risk of severe disease or death among patients who have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19, research suggests.
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Scientists have found that using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - which are common treatments for acute pain - is safe and does not result in worse COVID-19 outcomes.
The findings, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, are based on an observational study of more than 72,000 people in the UK - the largest study of its kind.
The scientists now recommend that clinicians continue to prescribe and manage NSAIDs in the same way as before the pandemic began.
Early in the pandemic, there was controversy over the use of ibuprofen after a French health minister advised against the use of it, leading scientists in Britain to review ties to the drug and COVID-19.
Professor Ewen Harrison, from the University of Edinburgh and lead author of the study, said: "NSAIDs are commonly used to treat people all over the world for a range of conditions, from minor aches and pains to chronic conditions such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
"When the pandemic began over a year ago, we needed to be sure that these common medications would not lead to worse outcomes in people with COVID-19.
"We now have clear evidence that NSAIDs are safe to use in patients with COVID-19, which should provide reassurance to both clinicians and patients that they can continue to be used in the same way as before the pandemic began."
The ISARIC CCP-UK study looked at 72,179 patients across England, Scotland and Wales between January and August 2020.
Of them, 5.8 per cent had taken NSAIDs within 14 days before hospital admission.
Results showed 30.4 per cent of patients who had taken NSAIDs before being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 died.
This rate of mortality was similar (31.3 per cent) in patients who had not taken NSAIDs, the researchers said.
Analysis also suggested those who took NSAIDs were no more likely to be admitted to critical care, need invasive or non-invasive ventilation, or require oxygen.
The researchers said their study represented 60 per cent of patients in the UK admitted to hospital during their research and did not include those with severe COVID-19 who were not in hospital.
Australian Associated Press
