Ibuprofen safety at the golden anniversary. A commentary and recent developments

Ibuprofen is a long lasting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and still represents one of the most diffused analgesics around the world. It has an interesting story started over 50 years ago. In this short comment to an already published paper, the authors try to focus some specific important point. On top, they illustrate the recent, confusing and fake assertion on the potentially dangerous influence that ibuprofen could have, increasing the risk of Coronavirus infection. This is also better illustrated in a previously published paper, where the readers could find more clear responses to eventual doubts.

NSAIDs; Ibuprofen; COVID-19; Side effects

[1] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-47073913 (Accessed: 30 October, 2020).

[2] ANSM. Anti-inflammatoires non steroıdiens (AINS) et complications infectieuses graves-Point d’Information. Agence nationale de securite du medicament et des produits de sante. 2019. Available at: https://ansm.sante.fr/S-informer/Points-d-information-Points-d-information/Anti-inflammatoires-non-steroidiens-AINS-et-complications-infectieuses-graves-Point-d-Information (Accessed: 30 October, 2020).

[3] Taylor N. France’s ANSM warns about NSAIDs following safety review. Regulatory Affairs Professionals. EU Regulatory Roundup. 2019. Available at: https://www.raps.org/news-and-articles/news-articles/2019/4/eu-regulatory-roundup-frances-ansm-warns-about-n (Accessed: 30 October, 2020).

[4] Varrassi G, Pergolizzi JV, Dowling P, Paladini A. Ibuprofen safety at the golden anniversary: Are all NSAIDs the same? A narrative review. Advanced Therapeutics. 2019; 37: 61-82.

[5] Varrassi G, Yeam CT, Rekatsina M, Pergolizzi JV, Zis P, Paladini A. The expanding role of the COX inhibitor/opioid receptor agonist combination in the management of pain. Drugs. 2020; 80: 1443-1453.

[6] Moore A, Crossley A, Ng B, Phillips L, Sancak O, Rainsford KD. Use of multicriteria decision analysis for assessing the benefit and risk of over-the-counter-analgesics. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2017; 69: 1364-73.

[7] Kellstein DE, Waksman JA, Furey SA, Binstok G, Cooper SA. The safety profile of nonprescription ibuprofen in multiple-dose use: A meta-analysis. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1999; 39: 520-32.

[8] Moore N. Forty years of ibuprofen use. International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2003; 135: 28-31.

[9] Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Maguire T, Roy YM, Tyrrell L. Non-prescription (OTC) oral analgesics for acute pain-an overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015; 11: CD010794.

[10] Available at: https://www.lefigaro.fr/sciences/coronavirus-alerte-sur-l-ibuprofene-et-autres-anti-inflammatoires-2020031 (Accessed: 30 October, 2020).

[11] Fang L, Karakiulakis G, Roth M. Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID-19 infection? Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2020; 8: e21.

[12] Varrassi G. Warning against the use of anti-inflammatory medicines to cure COVID-19: Building castles in the air. Advances in Therapy. 2020; 37: 1705-1707.

[13] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/29/more-cases-of-rare-syndrome-in-children-reported-globally (Accessed: 30 October, 2020).