Clinical Management & Treatment
Other Treatment Considerations

Other Treatment Considerations

Other Treatment Considerations

  • Acetaminophen is preferred.

  • Caution against the use of ibuprofen or other NSAIDs in severe disease or in most COVID-19 at risk groups where they would be contraindicated (such as older age, hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, cardiomyopathy, etc.).

  • Oseltamivir is not recommended for COVID-19, as there are no known clinical benefits.

  • Oseltamivir should only be started at admission if seasonal influenza is circulating in the community, and should be discontinued if Influenza testing is negative.

  • ACE inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) were initially hypothesized to potentially increase the risk of or susceptibility to COVID-19.
  • However, there is no evidence that ACEi/ARB increase the risk of COVID-19 or worsen outcomes.
  • More importantly, recent observational studies suggest that ACEi/ARB DO NOT increase mortality risk.
  • Stopping ACEi/ARB medications in otherwise stable patients with heart failure or hypertension can lead to harm (i.e. uncontrolled hypertension and increased hospitalizations for heart failure).
  • Patients taking these agents should continue to do so unless otherwise advised by their primary care provider.

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