Medication FAQs

Please be aware this information may change and we will keep this page up to date.

ACEi/ARB medicines – used to manage blood pressure/heart failure e.g. ramipril, lisinopril, perindopril, candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan etc

Continue to take these medications. There has been a rumour circulating that these medications can make infection with Covid-19 more likely but there is currently no evidence to back this up. See position statements from the following organisations:

 The Renal Association: https://renal.org/covid-19/renal-association-uk-position-statement-covid-19-ace-inhibitorangiotensin-receptor-blocker-use/

British Cardiovascular Society: https://www.britishcardiovascularsociety.org/news/ACEi-or-ARB-and-COVID-19

European Society Of Cardiology: https://www.escardio.org/Councils/Council-on-Hypertension-(CHT)/News/position-statement-of-the-esc-council-on-hypertension-on-ace-inhibitors-and-ang

Diabetes

Continue to take your medications. If you become unwell, follow sick day rules.

Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

Sick day rules: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/illness

NSAIDs – anti-inflammatory painkillers    e.g. – ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, diclofenac etc

Continue to take these medications if you are already taking them regularly. There is currently no evidence to suggest that these medications impact the risk of a patient contracting Covid-19.

There are some concerns around whether taking these medications can have an adverse impact on pneumonia or slow recovery from a chest infection. There is currently no conclusive evidence to support this. However, we are recommending that IF you develop a fever, to manage this with paracetamol instead of one of these medicines.

BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/51929628

Rheumatology conditions – corticosteroids, DMARDs, biologics e.g. prednisolone, methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, adalimumab (Humira) etc

“Continue to take but If patients develop symptoms of any infection, established practice should be followed and immunosuppressive therapy paused for the duration of the infection and until they feel well, in consultation with their rheumatology team. The expectation is for those on glucocorticoids (steroids, prednisolone) where treatment should not be stopped abruptly and advice should be sought from their treating team.”

British Society for Rheumatology: https://www.rheumatology.org.uk/News-Policy/Details/Covid19-Coronavirus-update-members

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