The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend ibuprofen, the international agency for public health clarified on Twitter.
With the information they currently have, WHO does not encourage the intake of ibuprofen as a cure for coronavirus. The organization points out that they are not aware of any published clinical or population-based data about the topic.
"We are also consulting with physicians treating COVID-19 patients and are not aware of reports of any negative effects of ibuprofen, beyond the usual known side effects that limit its use in certain populations."
WHO emphasizes that they are aware of concerns on the use of ibuprofen to treat people with coronavirus.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) and marketed as Advil and Nurofen. It is used to treat pain and manage fever associated with viral or bacterial infections.
However, the European Union's medicines agency warned that there is no evidence that taking ibuprofen worsens the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The British Pharmacological Society agrees but echoes the sentiment of WHO.
"We support the cautious approach as more evidence is collected," said the society's president, Munir Pirmohamed.
"Until we have more information, people should take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless they have been told by their doctor that paracetamol is not suitable for them."
The concern about the intake of ibuprofen was sparked by a study published in The Lancet medical journal. The study claims that an enzyme enhanced by anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can worsen COVID-19 infections.
Speaking to reporters in Geneva, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier explained that the UN health agency's experts were "looking into this to give further guidance."
"In the meantime, we recommend using rather paracetamol, and do not use ibuprofen as a self-medication. That's important," he said.
He pointed out that if ibuprofen had been "prescribed by the healthcare professionals, then, of course, that's up to them."
