7 COVID-19 Medication Myths Debunked (You should NEVER do #2)


Educate yourself by separating fact from fiction.

The coronavirus pandemic developed faster than our doctors could handle the current number of positive cases. This led people to come up with home remedies that they think will be a good alternative to keep them sanitized and safe from the virus. However, the spread of this misinformation can be dangerous. That’s why we feature the 7 COVID-19 Medication Myths Debunked to educate you safely at home.

1. Ibuprofen/Advil

Taking Ibuprofen (Advil) will get rid of the fever. But fever is also a primary symptom of coronavirus. Is it safe to take ibuprofen especially if you’re unsure whether you’re infected or not? Will this make it worse?


Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID. It is used to reduce hormones that cause various conditions such as inflammation or pain in the body or muscle aches. It is also used to reduce fever and to relieve minor aches and pain due to common cold or flu.

Whether or not it’s safe to take it when you’re infected with coronavirus is still uncertain. But the World Health Organization, along with other companies in the medical industry such as European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Spanish Ministry of Health stressed that they do not recommend against the use of ibuprofen since there is a lack of evidence nor reports of any negative effects of ibuprofen on coronavirus.

2. Methanol/Alcohol/Chlorine Mix

The world reels from panic-buying of alcohol and hygiene products such as toilet papers and hand sanitizers. Needless to say, this has caused a shortage of stock around the world.


Mixing alcohol with chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces but this can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes such as eyes and mouth.

To ensure consumers are guided accordingly, certain companies have released a public advisory to debunk this medication myth.

3. Malaria Vaccine

Mosquitoes have been transmitting diseases for decades now. Since coronavirus can be transmitted via droplets, does this mean mosquitoes can transfer the coronavirus disease from one person to another?


Mosquitoes may be able to transmit viruses such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika, Ross River, and chikungunya virus but it all depends on the type of virus. Viruses take advantage of this biological nature of mosquitoes to move from host to host. However, there are viruses that can’t be transmitted via mosquito bites such as Ebola, HIV, and the newly discovered virus, COVID-19. This has been mentioned by the World Health Organization.

4. Flu and Pneumonia Vaccine

Flu/Pneumonia Vaccine

The new coronavirus disease is different so it needs its own vaccine. At the time of this writing, researchers and the World Health Organization (WHO) are trying to develop a vaccine against the COVID-19.

Even though vaccines such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine work great against pneumonia, it doesn’t work the same when applied to a patient infected with the new coronavirus.

The new coronavirus needs its own vaccine and researchers are trying to develop a vaccine to specifically fight against the new 2019-nCoV.

5. Saline


Saline removes debris and necrotic tissues (irrigates a wound) to create an environment optimal for healing. The saline nasal spray is also used to create moist in the nasal passages and sinuses, perfect for treating nasal allergy. 

But when it comes to rinsing the nose with saline, there is NO EVIDENCE that doing so will protect you from infection with the new coronavirus (2019-nCOV).

Gargling saline (a solution of salt in water) is an effective way to remove virus out from a sore throat, but it does not prevent you from getting nor killing coronavirus (if you’re infected)

6. Antibiotics

Health care providers are using antibiotics in some patients with the new coronavirus. Is using antibacterial agents effective in killing this new disease?


Since patients with viral pneumonia can develop a secondary bacterial infection, the need for the patient to be treated with antibiotics comes essential.

Penicillins, macrolides (azithromycin), cephalosporins (ceftriaxone [Rocephin]), aminoglycosides (tobramycin), and glycopeptides (vancomycin [Vancocin HCL]) were among the antibacterial agents that were used to treat coronavirus patients and even though a small trial conducted in France suggest azithromycin may have potential treatment for COVID-19, larger clinical trials are still needed to confirm its effectivity.

7. Medical Marijuana

WHO even clarified that “there is still no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat” the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

But even so, the U.S. cannabis consumers still panic-buy cannabis products not only in fear of scarcity but also for its ability to treat pain, reduce anxiety and depression, improve heart health, and more. 

Conclusion & Healthy Reminders

At the time of this writing, there is no specific medicine to prevent or treat the new coronavirus disease. But we’ll keep you notified the soonest there will be one. In the meantime, you can go back to our home page as we also post updates on medications and home remedies approved by the WHO and FDA to fight against coronavirus.

Rest assured WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts and people infected with COVID-19 disease should receive care to treat and relieve symptoms appropriately. Specifically, people with severe cases should receive optimized health care by our front liners.

Remember to always wash your hands, disinfect appropriately, stay home, and practice social distancing. These are the key to flatten the curve and defeating coronavirus.

Dwight K. Blake Written by: Dwight K. Blake


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