The World Health Organization, on Tuesday, March 17, recommended that persons suffering with COVID-19 symptoms avoid taking Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anton Best, speaking at a press conference at Ilaro Court today, noted that the Ministry was alerted to the fact that in some places where NSAIDs were used, patients worsened.

He said: “Right now, the recommendation is to focus on the use of paracetamol for pain and for fever reduction, as opposed to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, Voltaren, Cataflam and other drugs in that category [such as] aspirin.”

Barbadians are being advised to avoid using products containing Ibuprofen if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.  According to the Barbados Drug Service, over-the-counter Ibuprofen products are:

• Advil 200mg in 2s of a box of 50s
• Advil caplets and tablets 200mg 24s
• Advil Cold and Sinus
• Advil Infant drops 15ml
• Advil Liquid Gels
• Advil Migraine Gel 20s
• Advil PM 30/50 packs of 2s
• Advil PM Bottle 20s
• Children’s Advil Liquid
• Ibufen Liquid
• Ibuprofen 400mg by Health 2000
• Ibuprofen 400mg tablets Bristol 84s
• Ibuprofen Gel Rub
• Motrin Children Elixir 1oz
• Motrin Children Elixir 4oz
• Motrin Infant Drops
• Motrin PM Caplets 20s
• Perofen 400mg by Remedica
• Thornton and Ross Ibuprofen 200mg tab
• Thornton and Ross Suspension 100ml bottle
• Westmead Flamingo Ibuprofen 200mg tab 24s