Medicines: the complete list of anti-inflammatory drugs especially not to be taken in case of suspected coronavirus: Femme Actuelle Le MAG

Headaches, fever, migraine, cough, gastroenteritis, painful periods … Many of us resort to self-medication, which consists of treating our minor ailments or pathologies with duly authorized drugs without prior medical advice, when certain symptoms appear. However, while self-medication can be dangerous in general, it is even more so in the case of an infection like the coronavirus. Indeed, if you have a fever, cough or have difficulty breathing, it is better to skip the anti-inflammatory drugs.

"Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, cortisone, …) could be a factor in worsening the infection. In case of fever, take paracetamol. If you are already on anti-inflammatory drugs or in case of doubt, ask your doctor for advice ", warned the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran on his Twitter account, on March 14. The statement is said to follow reports from several hospital doctors who have linked anti-inflammatory drugs to exacerbated symptoms in severe cases of new coronavirus.

Covid-19: why you shouldn't take anti-inflammatory drugs?

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs is strongly discouraged as it could be an aggravating factor for Covid-19 infection. "Indeed, anti-inflammatory drugs (including ibuprofen) can mask an infection and potentially have an aggravating effect in certain situations. If you are currently being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids, do not stop your treatment and bring your you from your doctor if necessary ", says the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) on its website.

Coronavirus: paracetamol is the only recommended drug

In his publication on Twitter, the Minister of Health calls on patients to favor only the use of paracetamol, in case of fever or pain. A statement supported by the ANSM which also recommends that healthcare professionals do the same. Why this active substance in particular? Indicated against fever and pain of medium to strong intensity, "paracetamol is a safe and effective drug", specifies the ANSM, if it is used wisely. In addition, it does not mask an infection. However, it is important to remember that you must respect the maximum dose per intake of paracetamol, because in case of overdose or misuse "may cause serious irreversible liver damage in some cases", recalls the agency.

The indication of Olivier Véran led the ANSM to supervise the sale of paracetamol, in order to guarantee their availability from this March 18, in pharmacies. "Pharmacists will be able to dispense without prescription a single box of paracetamol (500 mg or 1g) per patient with no symptoms, or 2 boxes (500 mg or 1g) in the event of symptoms (pain and / or fever)". In addition, since March 18, the sale of drugs based on paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin on the internet has been suspended.

The list of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to avoid in case of Covid-19

Since January 15, the ANSM has decided that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) "will no longer be available for free access in pharmacies". This is to encourage the proper use of these commonly used drugs. This family of drugs is affected by the alert and declaration by Olivier Véran. Indeed, there are two types of anti-inflammatory drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) includes:

  • Acetylsalicylic acid, such as Aspirin, Actron, Afebril, Alka Seltzer, Aspro, Detoxalgin
  • Ibuprofen: Advil and its derivatives, Antarene, Nurofen, Spedifen, Upfen, Spifen, Algifene, Brufen, Nureflex
  • Aceclofenac
  • Ketoprofen, like Bi-profenid, Ketum, Toprec
  • Mefenamic acid, like Ponstyl
  • Nifluril
  • Tiaprofenic acid, such as Flanid, Surgam, Flanid Gé
  • The Minalfene
  • Celecoxib, like Celebrex
  • Diclofenac, such as Flector, Voltarene, Xénid Gé, Artotec
  • Lodine
  • Etoricoxib, like Arcoxia
  • Fenoprofen, such as Nalgesic
  • Antadis
  • Cebutid
  • Meloxicam, such as Mobic
  • Nabumetone, like Nabucox
  • Naproxen, like Naprosyne
  • Piroxicam, such as Brexin, Cycladol, Feldene, Flexirox Gé, Inflaced, Proxalyoc
  • Arthrocin
  • Tilcotil

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs especially not to be taken, in case of symptoms of coronavirus

As for the family of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (AIS), among which we find corticosteroids, we find:

  • Prednisolone
  • The Solupred
  • Prednisone
  • Celestene
  • Celestamine
  • Ciloxadex
  • The Altim
  • Betamethasone
  • Betnesol
  • Cortancyl
  • The Decadron
  • Dectancyl
  • Depo-Medrol
  • Dexamethasone
  • Diprostene Hexatrione
  • Hydrocortancyl
  • Kenacort Retard
  • The Medrol
  • Methylprednisolone
  • The Neodex
  • Neofordex
  • Solumedrol
  • The Adixon
  • The Florinef
  • The Flucortac

Asthma and coronavirus: should you continue to take inhaled corticosteroids?

Among those at risk from coronavirus, we find pregnant women, the elderly, the chronically ill but also asthmatics. Asthma & Allergies Association pulmonologists recommend that people with asthma not ban inhaled corticosteroids because they help control bronchial inflammation and "do not lower the immune system in people with asthma at the usual doses, unlike cortisone taken by general route". As a result, inhaled corticosteroids provide good control of these patients' asthma symptoms before infection with the coronavirus.

Inhaled corticosteroids are thus "The best way to get through the epidemic is to have controlled asthma" and avoid contamination. "On the other hand, corticosteroids are to be banned for treating coronavirus. They must be used wisely, where they are useful", alert the association's pulmonologists, in their press release dated March 13.

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