Flepisi, Brian ThabileSchellack, Natalie2022-07-292022-07-292021-06Flepisi, B.T. & Schellack, N. 2021, 'The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by COVID-19 patients–in a nutshell', SA Pharmaceutical Journal, vol. 88, no. 3, pp. 35-38, doi : 10.520/ejc-mp_sapj_v88_n3_a8.10.520/ejc-mp_sapj_v88_n3_a82221-5875 (print)2220-1017 (online)https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/86585Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a large scale of morbidities and mortalities worldwide, posing a significant threat to global health. COVID-19 has been challenging due to a lack of established treatment guidelines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) comprise of a heterogeneous group of compounds used for the symptomatic relief of fever, pain and inflammation. NSAIDs exert their effects by inhibiting prostaglandins' biosynthesis, resulting in anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. They may be beneficial in reducing inflammation and prevent fatal cytokine storms in COVID-19. However, the use of NSAIDs by COVID-19 patients has been controversial, with some reports recommending their use, while others contraindicated them. This may be due to the heterogeneous nature of COVID-19 including different strains or cases. There seem to be COVID-19 cases where NSAIDs should not be used; however, there is no evidence that NSAIDs should be avoided in all COVID-19 patients.en© Medpharm. This article is licensed under a This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 South Africa License.InflammationPainIbuprofenDiclofenacAspirinNaproxenIndomethacinParacetamolNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)COVID-19 pandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Article