UK doctors to trial ibuprofen in COVID-19 patients
Coronavirus in London, UK
Doctors in the UK are set to trial a formulation of anti-inflammatory ibuprofen to see if it reduces respiratory failure in patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19.
The trial involves a particular formulation of ibuprofen, which has been shown to be more effective than standard ibuprofen for treating severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARCS), a complication of COVID-19.
The formulation is already licensed for use in Britain for other conditions.
The trial, known as "LIBERATE", will be a randomised study, with recruitment of up to 230 patients expected over the coming months. If successful, the global public health value of this trial result would be immense given the low cost and availability of this medicine.
It is being run by Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, King's College London and pharmaceutical organisation the SEEK Group.
In March, France's health minister said people should not use anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen if they contract the novel coronavirus. Researchers have, however, said there is no evidence that ibuprofen makes COVID-19 worse.