Is Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) effective for treating symptoms of Zika virus infection?

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Last updated: February 8, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Effectiveness of Acetaminophen for Zika Virus Infection

  • Acetaminophen is considered for treating symptoms of Zika virus infection, as there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available 1.
  • A study found that several nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including acetaminophen, potently inhibited the entry of Zika virus Env/HIV-1-pseudotyped viruses and significantly inhibited the replication of wild-type ZIKV both in cell lines and in primary human fetal endothelial cells 2.
  • The study proposed that NSAIDs, including acetaminophen, can be practically used for preventing ZIKV infection in pregnant women, as they are considered clinically safe 2.
  • Another study mentioned that treatment of Zika virus infection focuses on managing symptoms with rest, fluids, and acetaminophen, with close monitoring for pregnant women 1.
  • However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of acetaminophen for treating Zika virus infection specifically, and more research is needed to determine its efficacy.

Comparison with Other Treatments

  • A case report suggested that high doses of intravenous vitamin C may be a potential treatment for acute viral infections, including Zika fever, with a patient showing resolution of symptoms after treatment 3.
  • Another study found that the antimalarial drug amodiaquine possesses anti-Zika virus activities, with potential for treatment of ZIKV infection 4.
  • A study on the common cold in adults found that acetaminophen may help relieve some symptoms, such as nasal obstruction and rhinorrhoea, but does not appear to improve other symptoms, such as sore throat, malaise, sneezing, and cough 5.

Research Gaps

  • There is a need for further research to determine the efficacy of acetaminophen for treating Zika virus infection, as current evidence is limited 2, 1.
  • More studies are needed to explore the potential of other treatments, such as intravenous vitamin C and amodiaquine, for Zika virus infection 3, 4.

References

Research

High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment for Zika Fever.

Journal of orthomolecular medicine : official journal of the Academy of Orthomolecular Medicine, 2016

Research

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) for the common cold in adults.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2013

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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