Don't mix multiple medicines! People infected with COVID-19 should follow three principles when taking medicine at home

On December 8, the State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism issued the "Guidelines for Home Treatment of Patients Infected by the New Coronavirus", and attached the "Reference List of Commonly Used Medicines for Home Treatment of Patients Infected by the New Coronavirus" . Commonly used medicines are listed based on seven symptoms including fever, dry and sore throat. Lianhua Qingwen granules/capsules, ibuprofen, and aspirin are all included in the reference list.

Professor Cui Hongsheng, director of the Respiratory Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, reminded in an interview with the People's Daily Health Client that one should not seek medical treatment indiscriminately when ill, and try not to use antipyretics and cold medicines at the same time.

Choose one Western medicine for fever

"When the symptoms of high fever are obvious, body aches and severe headaches occur, you can use some antipyretic and analgesic drugs, that is, antipyretic drugs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The principle of 'stop taking when the disease is relieved' should be followed, and try not to use them together. " said Professor Cui Hongsheng.

"Also, be careful not to exceed the daily dosage, otherwise it will damage the liver. For example, do not use acetaminophen or ibuprofen more than four times a day. When using ibuprofen to reduce fever, be sure to take it six hours apart each time, and do not use it more than four times a day. When using acetaminophen to reduce fever, if the fever or pain persists, you can use it again every 4-6 hours, and do not use it more than four times a day."

Try not to take Western antipyretics and Chinese cold medicines together

"For example, after taking medicines such as Lianhua Qingwen, Jinhua Qinggan, and Xuanfei Baidu Granules, there is no need to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen additionally, because these Chinese patent medicines themselves have the effect of reducing fever," said Cui Hongsheng. "Similarly, try not to take ibuprofen with Gankang, Baijiahei, etc."

When taking Chinese herbal cold medicine, try to choose only one type and take it in small doses and frequently.

"You can choose one of the Chinese patent medicines such as Lianhua Qingwen, Qingkailing, and Lanqin oral liquid. There is no need to take two or three together, because they all contain bitter and cold medicines for clearing heat and detoxifying. Superposition of them can easily damage the spleen and stomach and lead to the penetration of pathogens," Cui Hongsheng introduced. "In short, the treatment of the new crown is similar to that of the common cold. It is advisable to choose only one symptomatic medicine. In addition, the method of taking should be 'small doses and frequent doses', increasing the frequency of taking rather than increasing the dosage and type. "

In addition, if you have symptoms such as coughing and need to take cough syrup, you should drink it dry and do not drink water within half an hour after taking it. Let the syrup stay in your throat for a while to be effective. If you need to use acetylcysteine ​​effervescent tablets for severe sputum, remember to dissolve the effervescent tablets in warm water before taking it, and do not swallow it directly.

Source: Beijing Daily