Safe use of ibuprofen in COVID-19 in children

Abstract

The literature review presents current data on the use of ibuprofen in COVID-19. Features of оmicron-variant of the disease are presented, which, unlike previous outbreaks, has a very high level of transmission, shorter average incubation period, increased incidence among children. Because most children have mild to moderate COVID-19, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, are the most commonly used drugs in childhood to relieve pain and fever. During the first outbreak of COVID-19, NSAID and ibuprofen have been suggested to be dangerous for use in COVID-19 because they may increase the risk of severe and fatal COVID-19 disease. Experimental and clinical data on the safe use of ibuprofen in COVID-19 are presented. To date, there is no increased risk of COVID-19 infection with ibuprofen. In addition, there was no increased risk of hospitalization or severe COVID-19, death of patients taking ibuprofen. A lower risk of death has been found in patients with COVID-19 who received NSAIDs, consistent with a reduction in inflammation and a cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 and a protective role for NSAIDs. According to the Protocol ”Provision of medical care for the treatment of coronary heart disease (COVID-19)“ in mild to moderate disease in children, symptomatic treatment of fever and pain with ibuprofen is indicated. Thus, according to WHO guidelines and available clinical data, ibuprofen can be safely used for analgesic and antipyretic effects in children with COVID-19.