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Special article
NSAIDs for analgesia in the era of COVID-19
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  1. Daniel L Herzberg1,2,
  2. Harry P Sukumaran1 and
  3. Eugene Viscusi3
  1. 1 Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
  2. 2 Department of Emergency Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
  3. 3 Department of Anesthesiology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Daniel L Herzberg, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; dherzber{at}dmc.org

Abstract

Globally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are highly used to treat pain. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of NSAIDs use has been called into question. These concerns are worthy of review. At present, there is no compelling data showing that NSAIDs worsen the severity of COVID-19 symptoms or increase one’s likelihood of contracting the illness. For patients in pain and without symptoms that could potentially be attributed to COVID-19 (cough, fevers/chills, lethargy, myalgias, anosmia and so on), NSAIDs should continue to remain a viable option to provide analgesia to patients in need.

  • pain management
  • analgesia
  • pharmacology
  • acute pain
  • chronic pain

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

https://doi.org/10.1136/rapm-2020-101584

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors All authors played a substantial role in the creation of this article.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.