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Paracetamol helps with coronavirus or not
Paracetamol helps with coronavirus or not

Video: Paracetamol helps with coronavirus or not

Video: Paracetamol helps with coronavirus or not
Video: Treatment options for COVID 19 patients : Dr Magesh.T 2024, March
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Back in March 2020, the WHO announced that it was necessary to take Paracetamol for coronavirus. This provoked an explosive demand for the drug. But do not take this medicine as a panacea.

WHO and Ministry of Health recommendations

On March 14, 2020, the French Ministry of Health, represented by its head Olivier Ferand, announced on Twitter that taking Ibuprofen could lead to complications in coronavirus. Therefore, patients are advised to take Paracetamol. After 3 days, WHO representative Christian Lindmeier confirmed this information, announcing that it is best to use Paracetamol for self-medication, and not other anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs.

These statements prompted massive purchases of Paracetamol around the world. In turn, Ibuprofen has been branded as a "killer drug". In this situation, WHO had to clarify its position and cancel the previous statement. So it was indicated that there is no clinical data to support the dangers of ibuprofen. It was also recommended to use both Paracetamol and other drugs of the NSAID category.

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At the moment, Paracetamol is recommended by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for outpatient treatment of coronavirus in mild and moderate forms, including those with pneumonia. This is stated in Version 9 of the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines, released in October 2020.

At the same time, doctors insist that self-treatment of coronavirus infection should always take place under the supervision of a specialist. The reason is very simple - a high risk of complications. In addition, Paracetamol is nowhere near as safe, especially if you do not follow the dosage indicated by your doctor. Therefore, it is always best to first consult how to take the drug and whether it can be used in the treatment of a particular person due to the risk of side effects.

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How paracetamol works for coronavirus infection

It cannot be unequivocally stated that Paracetamol helps with COVID-19 or not. On the one hand, one must understand that this medicine does not fight the virus in any way. It does not block its spread in the body, does not enhance immunity, and does not help in the prevention of coronavirus. But at the same time, Paracetamol does its job: it reduces inflammation and lowers fever.

This reduces the risk of complications associated with fever symptoms:

  1. Blood thinns, the risk of blood clots and, consequently, stroke, heart attack decreases.
  2. Maintains a stable blood pressure, reducing the risk of cerebral edema, and stabilizing the heart rate.
  3. The work of the psyche is restored: lethargy, confusion of consciousness disappear.
  4. There are no cramps.

Unlike other NSAIDs, Paracetamol acts directly on the thermal centers of the brain, and not on the sources of inflammation in the musculoskeletal tissue. Therefore, it is much more effective in lowering the temperature, but has less effect on inflammation. Doctors recommend taking it only at temperatures above 38 ° C.

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At the same time, Paracetamol is considered one of the safest medicines. It can be taken during pregnancy, infants from 3 months of age. This does not negate the possible side effects that occur with:

  • individual intolerance;
  • liver and kidney diseases;
  • rare pathologies of the circulatory system, such as leukopenia or agranulocytosis.

Typically, side effects are manifested through hives or stool disturbances. However, with prolonged use of Paracetamol or exceeding the dosage against the background of problems in the work of the liver, its failure is possible.

According to US statistics, in 48% of cases, patients require a liver transplant precisely because of the uncontrolled intake of Paracetamol.

This does not negate the fact that Paracetamol is one of the safest and cheapest NSAIDs. But how to take it can only be determined by a doctor in order to avoid consequences.

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Analogs and combinations of paracetamol

It is not always possible to find cheap Paracetamol in pharmacies due to the high demand. Therefore, you should pay attention to the brands that sell it under a different name, or combination drugs:

  1. Cefekon, Panadol and Efferalgan. This is the same Paracetamol, so there is no doubt whether the remedy will help or not.
  2. Nurofen, Ibuklin, Brustan. These drugs use a combination of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol.
  3. Coldrex, Theraflu, Antigrippin and other popular cold powders. In them, Paracetamol is mixed with vitamin C, feniramine and chlorphenamine, which have an antihistamine effect.
  4. Rinza, Grippostad and Coldrex. This is a line of products in which Paracetamol is mixed with caffeine, as well as additives that constrict blood vessels and relieve an allergic reaction.
  5. Citramon, Kofitsil, Astrofen. It is a mixture of Caffeine, Aspirin and Paracetamol.
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However, it should always be borne in mind that the wider the list of components in the medicine, the more contraindications and the higher the risk of side effects. In addition, not all substances are as effective against coronavirus as Paracetamol. Therefore, before taking them, it is imperative to check with your doctor if it makes sense and how safe it is.

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Outcomes

  1. Paracetamol is recommended by WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for self-treatment of coronavirus.
  2. The drug helps to reduce the temperature, but weakly fights inflammation.
  3. Paracetamol does not affect viruses in any way and cannot serve as a prophylactic agent.

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