Ibuprofen is safe for the public to take during the coronavirus pandemic, regulators say as they perform a u-turn on previously issued advice.

For the past month, medical guidance has urged against taking the common painkiller when treating symptoms of covid-19 amid suggestions it could worsen the virus.

However, the Government has now issued updated advice, which states patients suffering from symptoms such as fevers and headaches can take ibuprofen when “self-medicating”.

The change followed an expert review on the safety of ibuprofen carried out by the Commission on Human Medicines, the Government's medicines advisory body.

It concluded that there is insufficient evidence to show that anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of contracting or worsening covid-19.

The new advice has been approved by NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

When prescribing ibuprofen, healthcare professionals are reminded to consider a patient’s individual risk factors such as any history of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal illness.

There is evidence linking ibuprofen to more severe illness from other respiratory infections.

Experts have said anti-inflammatory drugs can pose a risk for those with infectious illnesses because they tend to diminish the response of the body’s immune system.

Last month, safety concerns about ibuprofen were heightened after Olivier Véran, France's health minister, warned that anti-inflammatory drugs may worsen the coronavirus.

Mr Véran, a qualified doctor and neurologist, said: “The taking of anti-inflammatories [ibuprofen, cortisone … ] could be a factor in aggravating the infection. In case of fever, take paracetamol. If you are already taking anti-inflammatory drugs, ask your doctor’s advice.”

A national shortage of paracetamol was reported soon afterwards, as the NHS recommended for people to take it as the painkiller of first choice.