Should Voltaren be avoided with COVID-19?

Hello, thank you for your question!

Anti-inflammatory drugs should only be avoided if COVID-19 infection is suspected or confirmed. Is this your case? If you do not have flu-like symptoms and you are using Voltaren for other pain, you can continue to do so. Stopping anti-inflammatory drugs does not prevent the virus

In fact, there is some preliminary data that has yet to be validated that taking anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil™, Motrin™, Aleve™, ibuprofen, naproxen) during a coronavirus infection may make symptoms worse (or delay optimal management). There is no specific data on Voltaren Emulgel, but in the event of an infection, it would be most prudent to avoid it as well

This data comes from Europe, where several young patients have been hospitalized with coronavirus. It appears that many of them were taking it.

Although it is not clear if this represents a real causal link, I recommend not taking anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce flu symptoms (fevers, aches, headaches, sore throats) at this time.

Instead, we'll take Tylenol™ (acetaminophen).

Maybe we'll realize in a few weeks that this was just a coincidence, but for now, it's best not to take any chances.

Note that for those who have been taking anti-inflammatory drugs continuously for several weeks, it is best not to stop them at this time (especially not to stop them abruptly).

I hope this information answers your question and I am available for more details if necessary

Laurie Hudon-Germain, pharmacist