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COVID-19

We understand the use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) products, including ibuprofen, for the alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms has come into question.

As a leader in the OTC pain category, Haleon Consumer Healthcare is not aware of any scientific evidence that directly links worse outcomes in patients suffering from COVID-19 infection with the use of ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories.

Ibuprofen is a well-established medicine that when used as labeled is safe to reduce fevers and provide pain relief. It has been used by millions of consumers across 40 markets for more than three decades. Ibuprofen has been extensively studied and is strictly regulated to ensure is use complies with local healthcare authority requirements.

Haleon Consumer Healthcare also agrees with the independent statement issued on March 18, 2020, by the World Health Organization (WHO). In that statement the Agency affirms, “At present, based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen. We are also consulting with physicians treating COVID-19 and are not aware of reports of any negative side effects of ibuprofen, beyond the usual known side effects that limit its use in certain populations. WHO is not aware of published clinical or population-based data on this topic.”

Additionally, Haleon Consumer Healthcare is aligned with the Health Canada statement distributed on March 20, 2020 which states, “There is no scientific evidence that establishes a link between ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms.”

We also routinely seek advice of medical experts on our products. William T. Zempsky, MD, MPH, Endowed Chair for Pain and Palliative Medicine, Connecticut Children's Medical Center stated: “There is no clinical data that points to ibuprofen being harmful to a patient with the COVID-19 virus. Each individual’s treatment plan is different, but I recommend that my patients can use ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce fever and treat body aches. Until there is an evidence-based consensus within the medical community, we should continue to utilize ibuprofen appropriately as a well-established medicine that has been used for many years as a fever and pain reducer, to alleviate patient discomfort.”

Consistent with this advice, Haleon Consumer Healthcare recommends that people speak directly with their doctor or healthcare provider if they have questions about their individual treatment needs.

This is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation and because consumer safety is our number one priority, we are closely monitoring statements from the public health authorities and medical experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I recently read an article that said you shouldn’t take ibuprofen or other NSAIDs if you have coronavirus (COVID-19), is this true?

    People should speak with their doctor or pharmacist if they have any questions about treatment for their individual needs when seeking to prevent or manage symptoms or conditions.

    Consumer safety is our number one priority and we follow the guidance of leading public health authorities and medical experts. Haleon Consumer Healthcare agrees with the latest guidance put forth by the World Health Organization (WHO), which states, “At present, based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen. We are also consulting with physicians treating COVID-19 and are not aware of reports of any negative side effects of ibuprofen, beyond the usual known side effects that limit its use in certain populations. WHO is not aware of published clinical or population-based data on this topic.”

  • Will taking ibuprofen or NSAIDs mask or worsen the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

    Ibuprofen, as well as some other analgesics, are taken to relieve pain, reduce fever, and/or reduce inflammation. Due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relief) and anti-pyretic (fever reducing) properties, it may mask the signs and symptoms of infection through providing relief.

  • Should I stop taking ibuprofen/other NSAIDs?

    People should speak with their doctor or pharmacist if they have any questions about treatment for their individual needs when seeking to prevent or manage symptoms or conditions.

    Consumer safety is our number one priority and we follow the guidance of leading public health authorities and medical experts. Haleon Consumer Healthcare agrees with the latest guidance put forth by the World Health Organization (WHO), which states, “At present, based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen. We are also consulting with physicians treating COVID-19 and are not aware of reports of any negative side effects of ibuprofen, beyond the usual known side effects that limit its use in certain populations. WHO is not aware of published clinical or population-based data on this topic.”

    Our pain relief portfolio includes well-established medicines used by millions of consumers around the world that, when used as labeled, are safe to reduce fever and provide pain relief. All medicines are strictly regulated to ensure their use complies with local healthcare authority requirements.

  • What are Haleon’s guidelines are regarding the use of ibuprofen or other NSAIDs in patients with suspected coronavirus (COVID-19)?

    We are not aware of any scientific evidence that directly links worse outcomes in patients suffering from COVID-19 infection with the use of ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories. People should speak with their doctor or pharmacist if they have any questions about treatment for their individual needs when seeking to prevent or manage symptoms or conditions.

    Consumer safety is our number one priority and we follow the guidance of leading public health authorities and medical experts. Haleon Consumer Healthcare agrees with the latest guidance put forth by the World Health Organization (WHO), which states, “At present, based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen. We are also consulting with physicians treating COVID-19 and are not aware of reports of any negative side effects of ibuprofen, beyond the usual known side effects that limit its use in certain populations. WHO is not aware of published clinical or population-based data on this topic.”

    Our pain relief portfolio includes well-established medicines used by millions of consumers around the world that, when used as labeled, are safe to reduce fever and provide pain relief. All medicines are strictly regulated to ensure they comply with local healthcare authority requirements.

    This is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation and because consumer safety is our number one priority, we are closely monitoring statements from the public health authorities and medical experts.

  • Does ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicines increase the risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19)?

    No, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories do not increase your risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19) and we are not aware of any scientific evidence that directly links worse outcomes in patients suffering from COVID-19 infection with the use of ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories.

    Consumer safety is our number one priority. Our pain relief portfolio includes well-established medicines used by millions of consumers around the world that, when used as labeled, are safe to reduce fever and provide pain relief. All medicines are strictly regulated to ensure its use complies with local healthcare authority requirements.