REN and COVID-19: Regarding coronavirus infections, NSAID use may specifically cause an upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, similar to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers.25 Given that this receptor is used by coronaviruses to bind to epithelial cells of the lung and other organs,26 NSAIDs may specifically increase the risk of severe and fatal COVID-19.