By Dr. Faith Goan, PharmD, and Dr. Marc Goldstein, MD, Curist Medical Advisor
Curist delivers FDA-approved medicines to your door at a fraction of the price of traditional brands. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during this time.
With the current spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), there has been a lot of confusion regarding what medications are safe to use to treat symptoms like fever. Is acetaminophen (known as brands Tylenol and Paracetamol) safe to use? Let’s find out.Does Acetaminophen (Tylenol & Paracetamol) Treat Coronavirus Symptoms Like Fever?
Acetaminophen is a medicine that works both as an analgesic (relieves pain) and as an antipyretic (reduces fever). It is one of the most popular pain relievers used in the US, and has been FDA-approved since the 1950s. Commonly, acetaminophen is sold under the brand names Tylenol and Paracetamol.
According to the CDC, symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) include:- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Shortness of Breath
- Sore throat
Acetaminophen has been used for years to reduce fever and to temporarily relieve muscle pain. These are both symptoms of coronavirus, so the next question is: acetaminophen can be used to reduce fever, but is it safe to use for coronavirus?
Is Acetaminophen (Tylenol & Paracetamol) Safe to Use for Coronavirus?
According to the Center of Disease Control, about 83%-99% of patients with coronavirus present with a fever. Acetaminophen can be used to help reduce fever associated with coronavirus, as well as associated muscle aches and pains. One important thing to note is that acetaminophen will not cure or treat the virus - it will only help reduce symptoms. As of right now, there is no clear evidence against using acetaminophen for use in coronavirus patients.
The National Institution of Health published a set of guidelines that all healthcare providers can refer to for treatment of coronavirus. In those guidelines, they state: “The Panel recommends that there be no difference in the use of antipyretic strategies (e.g., with acetaminophen or NSAIDs) between patients with or without COVID-19”. Overall it is safe to use acetaminophen for coronavirus.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol) vs Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Which is Safer for Coronavirus?
Ibuprofen (commonly known as brands Advil and Motrin) is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which is used to reduce inflammation and lower fevers. At this point, there is not sufficient evidence that acetaminophen or NSAIDS are better for treating symptoms of coronavirus. Check out the Ibuprofen and Coronavirus article to learn more.At the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, a minister from the French Health Ministry warned that the use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen could be an “aggravating factor of the infection”. This caused concern among the medical community, but subsequently the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that there is no scientific evidence to prove this claim.
As of mid-April, it is thought that both acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to treat fever associated with coronavirus. Acetaminophen has fewer side effects compared to ibuprofen, so it is often recommended first as it is generally safer. More details are available at England’s National Health Service website. Whichever you choose to take, please take as directed and consult with a doctor if necessary.
