(Adds details, background)
March 16 (Reuters) - Nurofen producer Reckitt Benckiser
sought to quash warnings against taking the drug on
Monday, saying it was not aware of any evidence that the pills'
active ingredient ibuprofen adversely impacted patients
suffering from COVID-19.
The company's statement followed a warning https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-drug/france-warns-against-use-of-anti-inflammatory-drugs-to-tackle-coronavirus-idUSKBN2110Q8
by France's health minister on Saturday that people should not
use anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen if they have
coronavirus-like symptoms.
Olivier Véran, France's health minister who is also a
qualified doctor, said in a tweet on Saturday: "The taking of
anti-inflammatories [ibuprofen, cortisone … ] could be a factor
in aggravating the infection. In case of fever, take
paracetamol. If you are already taking anti-inflammatory drugs,
ask your doctor's advice."
Nurofen, one of Reckitt's more popular drugs, contains 200
mg of Ibuprofen as its active ingredient in each tablet and is
indicated for "effective pain and inflammation relief and
reducing fever," according to the company's website.
"RB has neither received new safety information nor been
involved in the evaluation of any adverse events regarding the
use of ibuprofen in COVID-19," the company said on Monday.
"Appropriate use of ibuprofen and paracetamol is still
currently being recommended by most European health authorities
as part of the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19."
The number of deaths in France from the coronavirus
increased by more than a third on Sunday to 127 and over 5,400
have been infected, according to the country's health
authorities. (https://reut.rs/2TVwxKR)
(Reporting by Siddharth Cavale in Bengaluru; Editing by
Shinjini Ganguli)
