[Rumor x Truth] Controversial 'Tylenol', Is It Safe to Take If Suspected of COVID-19?

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Over the past week, Dr. Hong Hye-gul, a medical doctor and broadcaster who is the head of the medical channel 'Biondwi,' and former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon engaged in a heated debate over 'Tylenol.' Dr. Hong recommended that patients showing suspected symptoms of COVID-19 take 'Tylenol,' while Professor Jin criticized this as 'rumor-mongering,' sparking controversy over whether it is safe to take 'Tylenol.'

In conclusion, it is safe to take 'Tylenol.' On the 17th (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that people experiencing suspected COVID-19 symptoms take 'paracetamol' instead of the antipyretic analgesic ibuprofen. Paracetamol is the active ingredient in 'Tylenol.'

In fact, the controversy over antipyretic analgesics arose recently when Olivier V?ran, France's Minister of Health, stated that "the use of ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen COVID-19 infections." This was based on a hypothesis published in the British medical journal The Lancet, suggesting that anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen may promote certain enzyme activities that facilitate COVID-19 infection or worsen symptoms.

In response, Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson, explained, "We recommend using paracetamol instead of ibuprofen for self-medication," adding, "Research is ongoing to determine whether ibuprofen has adverse effects in specific situations."

In other words, although there is no clear evidence that ibuprofen worsens the virus in suspected COVID-19 cases, due to the potential for negative effects, ibuprofen use is discouraged. Instead, drugs containing acetaminophen and paracetamol, which primarily reduce fever, are recommended as safe.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) also initially recommended both ibuprofen and acetaminophen for suspected COVID-19 symptoms but recently changed its stance. While there is no strong evidence that ibuprofen worsens COVID-19, until more information is available, it advises that unless a doctor explicitly prohibits it, taking paracetamol to treat coronavirus symptoms is appropriate.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.