A statement issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is aware of speculation that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may worsen outcomes for those with the virus but currently there is no scientific evidence substantiating this theory. Physicians are advised to communicate with patients about any concerns, especially with those who rely on these medications for managing chronic conditions. The FDA plans to further investigate NSAID use in COVID-19 patients and says it will communicate their findings when new information is available.
Researchers from King’s College London also say there is no evidence indicating that NSAIDs negatively impact patients with COVID-19. Additionally, their findings, which were published on March 30, 2020, confirm that tumor necrosis factor blockers and Janus kinase inhibitors used to treat arthritis and inflammation are also safe for patients with COVID-19.
Their study notes that identifying potential drug interactions is especially important for patients with chronic illnesses who may already be taking immunostimulant or immunosuppressive medications. In these cases, physicians must quickly identify if a drug needs to be stopped. Author Mieke Van Hemelrijck says the pandemic creates challenging clinical decisions about the appropriate continuation of certain treatments for those requiring immune suppressive medication.
MLMIC will continue to keep policyholders informed of COVID-19-related developments and encourages all providers to visit the dedicated resource page on our website.
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