Recently, the most popular drugs on the market are ibuprofen and acetaminophen, which are used to alleviate the fever or pain caused by COVID-19 infection. The urgent problem that many friends are facing now is that they cannot buy ibuprofen or acetaminophen. What should they do?
The reason why ibuprofen and acetaminophen are chosen as the first choice for fever reduction is because they are economical, safe, and have a wide range of uses. In fact, the "antipyretic and analgesic drugs" to which they belong belong are a huge family, with dozens discovered so far. Their mechanisms of action are similar, and their antipyretic and analgesic effects are very good.
So today, I will give you a brief overview of what antipyretic and analgesic drugs can be used after COVID-19 infection, in addition to ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Diclofenac
Diclofenac has a fast onset of action and relatively few adverse reactions when taken orally. The most commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of bone and joint diseases. Prescription drugs require a doctor's prescription.
Common dosage forms: Diclofenac Sodium Enteric coated Extended release Capsules, Diclofenac Sodium Enteric coated Tablets, Diclofenac Sodium Extended release Tablets
Precautions: Children and adolescents under 18 years old should not use.
Indomethacin
Indomethacin is commonly used clinically for pain relief in rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, tumors, and fever reduction in hematological diseases. Prescription drugs require a doctor's prescription.
Common dosage forms: Indomethacin suppositories, Indomethacin tablets
Precautions: Use with caution in children under 14 years old. Do not use when there is vascular edema or bronchospasm.
Loxoprofen Sodium
Loxoprofen Sodium has fewer gastrointestinal side effects and is relatively more suitable for patients with poor gastrointestinal function. Clinically, it is commonly used for anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment of arthritis, surgery, trauma, tooth extraction, and can also be used for fever reduction. Prescription drugs require a doctor's prescription.
Common dosage form: Loxoprofen Sodium Tablets
Precautions: Do not take on an empty stomach. Blood pressure should be closely monitored at the beginning and throughout the entire treatment process with this product.
Naproxen
Naproxen is commonly used to relieve mild to moderate pain such as dysmenorrhea, toothache, headache, and can also be used to reduce fever. Its gastrointestinal side effects are greater than ibuprofen, but less than aspirin and indomethacin.
Common dosage forms: Naproxen tablets, Naproxen sustained-release tablets, Naproxen capsules, Naproxen enteric coated microspheres capsules, etc.
Caution: Do not use for aspirin allergy sufferers, use with caution for those with digestive ulcers or a history of digestive ulcers.
Celecoxib
Celecoxib is a novel nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with fewer gastrointestinal adverse reactions compared to previous drugs. Commonly used in clinical practice to treat acute pain. Prescription drugs require a doctor's prescription.
Common dosage form: Celecoxib capsules
Precautions: Use with caution in adolescents and children under 18 years old.
Meloxicam
Meloxicam is a new type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with fewer gastrointestinal adverse reactions. There are many contraindications for this product, and prescription drugs need to be prescribed by a doctor.
Common dosage form: Meloxicam tablets
Precautions: Do not use in children and adolescents under 16 years old. The total daily dose should be taken at once with meals.
Relying on Kaoxi
Kaoxi is also a new type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with fewer gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Prescription drugs require a doctor's prescription.
Common dosage form: etoposide tablets
Precautions: The lowest daily dose should be administered and the shortest possible time should be given. Can be taken with food or alone.
Compound preparations containing acetaminophen
When choosing compound cold medicine, it is also important to note that different brands of cold medicine contain different doses of acetaminophen.
There are other ingredients in the compound cold medicine, each with its own symptoms. It is best to prescribe the right medicine and choose the one that is closest to your situation.
Finally, I would like to explain that in addition to acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the drugs listed above can also be used to relieve the fever or pain caused by COVID-19 infection. The selection of antipyretic and analgesic drugs should be based on the degree of fever and pain, with oral medication being the preferred choice. It is generally recommended that people with COVID-19 infection should take it when their body temperature exceeds 38.5 ℃, and continuous medication is not recommended. Before using antipyretic and analgesic drugs, it is necessary to clarify the contraindications and precautions for drug use. For patients who develop asthma, urticaria, or allergic reactions after taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as those who are currently using anticoagulant drugs, only preparations containing acetaminophen can be used. Except for acetaminophen, which can be used in combination, it is recommended to use it as a monotherapy and not in combination to avoid repeated or excessive use.