Ibuprofen, cortisone or paracetamol? What will help in the fight against coronavirus
The French Ministry of Health said that when infected with coronavirus, it is strictly forbidden to use a number of anti-inflammatory drugs, as they can only worsen the patient’s condition. We are working with Russian experts to find out whether such medications can really cause complications and in what cases it is necessary to take paracetamol.
Dangerous drugs?
French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on his Twitter page that taking a number of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or cortisone can be a factor that worsens the infection. “If you have a fever, take paracetamol,” he advised.
However, some Russian experts do not share this opinion. In particular, clinical virologist Georgy Vikulov, in a dialogue with Moscow 24, said that to date there are no studies confirming this. “Ibuprofen and paracetamol are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are allowed in certain dosages as antipyretics, recommended by WHO and leading specialized organizations both abroad and in Russia.”
“, the specialist explained. Regarding COVID-19, there are no studies whose results would indicate that ibuprofen and paracetamol should not be used.
Vikulov added that paracetamol and ibuprofen are allowed both in the treatment of children and pregnant women. “When an antipyretic effect is required, nothing is more effective than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs”
, the expert believes.
At the same time, the virologist confirmed the negative consequences for the body after using cortisone. “Cortisone, corticosteroids, and cortisone-related substances are not recommended because they cause significant immune suppression.”
, says Vikulov.
According to the specialist, any hormonal drugs are dangerous for any viral infections. And COVID-19 is no exception.
When and how can you take paracetamol?
Today, people often abuse antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs because such drugs are actively advertised, experts believe. At the same time, the decision on the use of such drugs and their dosage should be made by the attending physician, emphasized clinical virologist Georgy Vikulov. Paracetamol can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. If there are indications for use, he will recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with antipyretic or anti-inflammatory effects, depending on what is required.
Professor of the Department of Hospital Therapy of the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov Sergey Yakovlev
said that antibiotics are used to combat bacterial pneumonia. But if pneumonia is caused by viruses, including coronavirus, then antibiotics are useless. Antibiotics have no effect on the virus. And to prevent this coronavirus, you don’t need to take any medications, they are pointless.
In addition, Yakovlev
reminded that any medicine can have side effects. Starting from allergic reactions and ending with damage to the liver, kidneys and other organs. Therefore, you should not abuse self-medication. The main thing is to remember about hand hygiene and follow the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Rospotrebnadzor on the prevention of coronavirus.
Virologist Georgy Vikulov also added that antibiotics should be prescribed only by doctors after examination and consultation. “The sale of antibiotics in a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription is a violation of the federal program to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance in the Russian Federation until 2030,” the specialist emphasized. Moreover, if you use antibiotics with or without reason, then at the moment when such a medicine is really needed, it simply will not work. Professor of the Department of Hospital Therapy at the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov Sergei Yakovlev explained that in case of severe fever (temperature more than 39 degrees), it is necessary to reduce the temperature, especially in children. “Paracetamol in this regard is the most neutral and safe, so it will be optimal”
, says Yakovlev. However, he also emphasized that a doctor should prescribe the medicine.
More details: https://www.m24.ru/articles/obshchestvo/18032020/156530?utm_source=CopyBuf
Pain in the lower abdomen in women in questions and answers
Pain in the lower abdomen
is the most common complaint in gynecological practice.
This symptom is very non-specific, as it occurs in many diseases. Today, many people have non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in their medicine cabinet. The choice is wide, and the doctor and pharmacist must orient the woman in the possibilities of certain drugs and warn her, reminding her of the importance of a timely visit to the doctor, as well as answer all questions. Complaint: pain during menstruation
How it begins: 1) One day before or on the 1st day of the menstrual cycle.
Continues during the first 2-42 hours or throughout the entire menstruation. 2) In the 2nd half of the cycle, it reaches its peak during menstruation. 3) During menstruation. How does it hurt?
The pain is often cramping in nature, but can be aching, tugging, bursting, and can radiate to the rectum.
Severe, often spasmodic pain. What else is worrying?
1) Irritability, depression, nausea, chills, dizziness, fainting, headache, swelling (possible dysmenorrhea).
2) Pain during sexual intercourse, periodic pain during urination, defecation (possible endometriosis). 3) Prolonged or too intense menstrual bleeding. Sometimes bleeding outside of menstruation. There may be an increase in the volume of the abdomen and a frequent urge to urinate (possible uterine fibroids).
Caution: acute pain
Acute intense and/or unilateral pain in the lower abdomen may indicate a gynecological emergency: - perforation or rupture of tumors and tumor-like formations of the ovaries;
- torsion of the anatomical pedicles of the ovary; - ovarian apoplexy; - intra-abdominal bleeding; - acute purulent diseases of the pelvic organs, etc., so consultation with a doctor is necessary. What can hurt?
The causes of pain in the lower abdomen can be very different: pathologies of the development of the genital organs, purulent-inflammatory diseases of the uterine appendages, endometriosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and urinary system. One of the most common causes of periodic lower abdominal pain in women is dysmenorrhea. Cyclic pain in the lower abdomen can be caused by endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, sexually transmitted infections, and other serious diseases. Such dysmenorrhea is considered secondary, and treatment of the disease that caused it, as a rule, leads to complete recovery. Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by the appearance of cyclic pain in the lower abdomen several hours before menstruation and in the first days of the menstrual cycle in the absence of any pathology from the pelvic organs. Primary dysmenorrhea most often occurs in young women.
Pain with dysmenorrhea:
- Reaches maximum intensity at the peak of bleeding. - It can be sharp, cramping, bursting or dull. - Most often it is localized in the midline in the suprapubic region, but may not be clearly localized. - May radiate to the lumbar region, rectum or thigh.
Or maybe it’s worth enduring the pain?
The multifaceted influence of pain syndrome on the human body determines its independent clinical significance.
Pain not only determines the severity of suffering and social maladjustment of the patient, but is also fraught with more serious consequences, for example, disruption of the normal function of organs, especially the cardiovascular system. Enduring pain is not recommended. What medicine will help?
The first stage of rational analgesic therapy is the elimination of the effect of the damaging factor (if possible), as well as the suppression of the body’s local response to damage.
For these purposes, drugs are used that block the synthesis of mediators of pain and inflammation. The main mediators of inflammation - prostaglandins (PG) - are actively synthesized in the area of damage with the participation of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). It is important that the causes of damage (trauma, surgery, inflammation, swelling or ischemia of tissue, persistent spasm of striated or smooth muscles, etc.) do not matter, therefore the use of drugs that block COX and suppress the synthesis of pro-inflammatory PGs will help with any somatic or visceral pain. Well-known NSAIDs have this effect. In the case of dysmenorrhea, one of the main pathogenetic mechanisms is a high level of PG. An increase in their ratio in the menstrual endometrium leads to a contraction of the muscular elements of the uterus. PGs are secreted in almost all tissues of the genital organs: endometrium, myometrium, endothelium of uterine vessels, tubes, etc. An increase in their level leads to increased contractility of the uterus, against which vascular spasm and local ischemia occur, which manifests itself as pain. Moreover, the high level of PG detected during dysmenorrhea causes ischemia of other organs and tissues, which results in symptoms of dysmenorrhea such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, etc. In the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, NSAIDs are one of the drugs of choice. Which is better, NSAIDs or antispasmodics?
The previously stated assumption about the comparable effectiveness of antispasmodics and NSAIDs in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea has not found experimental confirmation.
In particular, antispasmodics were inferior to NSAIDs in terms of pain relief. Currently, antispasmodics are not included in the international standards for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Thus, NSAIDs are recognized as the most effective drugs in the treatment of this pathology. Among the drugs widely used for dysmenorrhea, the most common are NSAIDs with a short half-life (dexketoprofen, ketoprofen, nimesupid, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, etc.).
Which NSAIDs are the most effective?
There is no ideal NSAID, so an individual approach is required in each specific clinical situation.
On average, the therapeutic effect of different NSAIDs is the same with the appropriate dosage regimen. However, some studies have noted significant differences in individual response between individual patients. Thus, it is impossible to predict which NSAID will be most effective in a particular patient. NSAIDs are available in different dosage forms (tablets, suppositories, injections), which allows you to choose the form that is most suitable for a specific clinical situation. How to take NSAIDs for dysmenorrhea?
For dysmenorrhea, NSAIDs should be taken before the onset of symptoms or at the first manifestations (in the first 48-72 hours) due to the maximum release of PG in the first 48 hours. Short-term use of NSAIDs for dysmenorrhea has virtually no side effects or they are only slightly expressed.
Irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa can be easily prevented by taking NSAIDs after meals or milk. Important!
Patients should not take NSAIDs: - with erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the acute stage;
- with severe impairment of liver and kidney function; - with cytopenias; - in case of individual intolerance; - during pregnancy. Basic rules for the use of NSAIDs:
- use of the minimum effective dose for the shortest possible period of time necessary to achieve the therapeutic goal. - if there is no effect within 3 days of use, consult a doctor. Uncontrolled and long-term use of NSAIDs is unacceptable.
First aid for dysmenorrhea will be provided by the so-called “gold standard” NSAID - ibuprofen, and its capsule form is
IBUPROFEN CAPS
. Why in capsules?
The answer is simple. IBUPROFEN CAPS
is the “second modern generation” of ibuprofen in 200 mg capsules with the onset of the therapeutic effect within 15 minutes.
The advantage of IBUPROFEN CAPS
is the rapid onset of action.
And we need to quickly eliminate the pain. In addition, the capsules hide the unpleasant taste and ensure dosing accuracy. When taken orally, IBUPROFEN CAPS
, produced by
Minskintercaps
, quickly disintegrates and dissolves, achieving the maximum therapeutic effect within 45-60 minutes.
Another criterion based on which IBUPROFEN CAPS
is the presence of a number of clinical studies in Belarus and Russia, where the drug
IBUPROFEN CAPS
confirmed its biological equivalence to the original drug Nurofen ultracap.
Adults and children over 12 years of age can take Ibuprofen CAPS
to relieve pain, 1 or 2 capsules up to three times a day, keeping an interval of at least four hours between doses.
IBUPROFEN CAPS
is a modern, ultra-fast-acting form of ibuprofen.
based on materials from the magazine “Pharmacist’s Handbook”, No. 2, 2017
26 Jun 2019
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