The pathogenesis of the common cold is associated with inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane with polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)1,2 and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and mediators in nasal secretions.3,4 We have investigated the effect of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen, 400 mg three times daily, in a placebo-controlled trial of 80 adults with naturally occurring common colds. Ibuprofen caused a significant reduction of headache (p = 0.008), earache (p = 0.01), muscle/joint pain (p = 0.045), and reduced body temperature (p = 0.02). There was a 40% reduction in the number of sneezes (p = 0.02) and a 33% reduction in the symptom score for sneezing (p = 0.04). This study did not detect any effect on other nasal symptoms.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
WintherB., FarrB., TurnerR.B.Histopathologic examination and enumeration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the nasal mucosa during experimental rhinovirus colds.Acta Otolaryngologica Suppl (Stockh)413: 19–24, 1983.
2.
NaclerioR.M., ProudD., LichtensteinL.M.Kinins are generated during experimental rhinovirus colds.J Infect Dis157: 133–142, 1984.
3.
ZhuZ., TangW., GwaltneyJ.M.Jr., EliasJ.A.Rhinovirus stimulation of interleukin-8 in vivo and in vitro: role of NF-kappaB.Am J Physiol273: L814–L824, 1997.
4.
ZhuZ., TangW., RayA.Rhionvirus stimulation of interleukin-6 in vivo and in vitro: evidence for NFKB-dependent transcriptional activation.J Clin Invest97: 421–430, 1996.
5.
GwaltneyJ.M.Jr., RueckertR.R.Rhinovirus. In Clinical Virology.RichmanD.G., WhitleyR.J., and HaydenF.G. (Eds.). Churchill Livingstone, 1025–1048, 1997.
6.
GilmanA.G., RallT.W., NiesA.S., TaylorP. (Eds.). Analgesic-antipyretics, anti-inflammatory agents, and drugs employed in the therapy of gout.In Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics.New York: Pergamon Press, 638–681, 1990.
7.
StanleyE.D., JacksonG.G., PanusarnC.Increased virus shedding with aspirin treatment of rhinovirus infection.JAMA231: 1248–51, 1975.
8.
GrahamN.M., BurrellC.J., DouglasR.M.Adverse effects of aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen on immune function, viral shedding, and clinical status in rhinovirus-infected volunteers.J Infect Dis162: 1277–82, 1990.
9.
SperberS.J., HendleyJ.O., HaydenF.G.Effects of naproxen on experimental rhinovirus colds: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.Ann Intern Med117: 37–41, 1992.
10.
SperberS.S., SorrentinoJ.V., RikerD.K.Evaluation of an alpha agonist alone and in combination with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent in the treatment of experimental rhinovirus colds.Bull NY Acad Med65: 145–160, 1989.
11.
GwaltneyJ.M.Jr.Combined antiviral and antimediator treatment of rhinovirus colds.J Infect Dis166: 766–782, 1992.
NielsenV.G., and WebsterR.O.Inhibition of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte function by ibuprofen.Immunopharmacology13: 61–71, 1987.
14.
MaderazoE.G., BreauxS.P., and WoronickC.Inhibition of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte cell responses by ibuprofen.J Pharm Sci73: 1403–1406, 1984.
15.
MaderazoE.G., BreauxS.P., and WoronickC.L.Protective effects of ibuprofen and methylprednisone on chemotactic factor-induced transcutaneous hypoxia.J Pharmacol Exp Ther238: 453–456, 1986.
16.
SkubitzK.M., and HammerschmidtD.E.Effects of ibuprofen on chemotactic peptide-receptor binding and granulocyte response.Biochem Pharmacol35: 3349–3354, 1986.
17.
VenezioF.R., DiVincenzoC., PearlmanF.Effects of the newer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, and sulindac, on neutrophil adherence.J Infect Dis152: 690–694, 1985.
18.
PerlmanM.B., JohnsonA., and MalikA.B.Ibuprofen prevents thrombin-induced vascular injury: mechanism of effect.Am J Physiol252: H605–H614, 1987.
19.
SpisaniS., VanziniG., and TranielloS.Inhibition of human leucocytes locomotion by anti-inflammatory drugs.Experientia35: 803–804, 1979.
20.
KapiotisS., SengoelgeG., SperrW.R.Ibuprofen inhibits pyrogen-dependent expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 on human endothelial cells.Life Sci58: 2167–2181, 1996.
21.
HolzerP., BucsicsA., and LembeckF.Distribution of capsaicin-sensitive nerve fibres containing immunoreactive substance P in cutaneous and visceral tissues of the rat.Neurosci Lett31: 253, 1982.
22.
LundbladL., AnggardA., and LundbergJ.M.Capsaicin-sensitive substance P nerves: anti-dromic vasodilation and increased vascular permeability in the cat nasal mucosa.Br J Pharmcol77: 378, 1982.
23.
LundbladL., anggardA., and LundbergJ.M.Effects of anti-dromic trigeminal nerve stimulation in relation to parasym-pathetic vasodilation in cata nasal mucosa.Acta Physiol Scand119: 7, 1983.
24.
GwaltneyJ.M.Jr., HendleyJ.O., PhillipsC.D.Nose blowing propels nasal fluid into the paranasal sinuses.Clin Infect Dis30: 387–391, 2000.
25.
BrooksC.D., NelsonA.L., and MetzlerC.Effect of flurbiprofen, a cyclooxygenase inhibiting drug, on induced allergic rhinitis.J All Clin Immunol73: 584–9, 1984.
