Brief update regarding COVID19 and ibuprofen- no evidence as of yet

[octoberlib]

Kai Kupferschmidt
@kakape
science journalist. molecular biologist. curious.
Contributing Correspondent at
@sciencemagazine
, reporting on #covid19.
Interested in all things #blue

Link to tweet

Really brief update on the situation regarding #covid19 and ibuprofen, since there are now news circulating that
@WHO
is warning against using ibuprofen. I just got off the phone with them, and to say they are warning against using ibuprofen is at best stretching the truth.

Link to tweet

Official statement is that they are aware of concerns. And: "WHO is gathering further evidence on this issue before making a formal recommendation, but after a rapid review of the literature, is not aware of published clinical or population-based data on this topic."

To be clear: I was told by WHO that this all goes back to the Lancet letter, which as I pointed out earlier suggested a hypothesis but has zero data to back it up. WHO is saying that in a first look they also have not found any evidence.

Let’s wait and see what their formal recommendation will be. They could still end up recommending against using ibuprofen out of an abundance of caution, but doing that with no evidence sets a dangerous precedent in an evolving epidemic.

There may still be data from France or elsewhere that tips the balance. I haven’t seen any data and there has been plenty of time now for people to present it. (Remember: What used to be one hour in our previous life is a whole day in CST - Covid Standard Time.)

For now what is being interpreted as a warning against ibuprofen is just their “holding line” while they evaluate the evidence. Essentially they are saying: We have no evidence of any risk, but if you have not been prescribed ibuprofen, you might as well use an alternative



I'm ignoring all "hypotheses" from Lancet articles from now on.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

1. Interesting. I hadn't heard any warnings to begin with. Was

there a rumor that it made to virus worse?

[octoberlib]

2. Yes, from the French Health Minister, in fact, who probably got it from the Lancet article

since France hasn't presented any evidence.

[Drahthaardogs]

3. But why take it?

I completely unferstand making a recommendation on anecodotal evidence and observation BUT the hypothesis makes sense from a biological position ans explains some observations.

[Liberal In Texas]

4. I've been told by my cardiologists not to take ibuprofin.

Nothing to do with covid-19, but for us cardio patients there is an increase in risk for hypertension and heart attack. Perhaps those warnings came about from the same mechanisms. We're in unknown territory with all of this.