Experts warn that over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen, may decrease the effectiveness of vaccines against coronavirus.
As the United States continues to distribute Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna vaccines to the general public, recipients reported minor side effects, such as temporary pain, that led some to take preventive over-the-counter painkillers before inoculation.
But several experts who spoke to ABC News Wednesday warn that this practice could impair the body’s ability to form antibodies that protect against COVID-19.
“We do not recommend premedication with ibuprofen or Tylenol before COVID-19 vaccines due to a lack of data on how this affects the antibody responses induced by the vaccine,” Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease specialist and member of COVID-19 Massachusetts Vaccine Advisory Group, told the network.
The concerns arise from a study conducted at Duke University, which found that children who took painkillers before receiving routine vaccines produced less antibodies.
The CDC also released guidelines that advise people who received the vaccine to monitor its side effects and try natural pain relief methods before resorting to pain relievers.
“If you experience fever, chills and headaches after the injection, use painkillers to help with the symptoms, but not before they develop and report any significant side effects to a medical professional,” said Dr. Wildes.