WHO says use 'breakthrough' Covid drug Dexamethasone only under supervision; cautions

After initial success of new drug Dexamethasone which is said to have potency against COVID-19 as per UK based researchers, World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed caution on use of drug.

WHO Executive Director Dr Michael Ryan has said that although drug has proved to be beneficial against COVID-19, it is to be used only under close clinical supervision and only on critically ill COVID-19 patients who are on a ventilator or those who are in need of oxygen.

drug has proven to be successful, but data is still preliminary and furr comprehensive study is required on drug, Michael Ryan opined.

WHO on June 16 welcomed preliminary clinical trial results from United Kingdom that show Dexamethasone, a steroid, can be lifesaving for coronavirus patients under ventilator or oxygen support. WHO Director-General Tedros ham congratulated government of United Kingdom, which partially funded trials that were led by Oxford University.

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Researchers in UK have claimed that generic steroid drug dexamethasone significantly reduces death rate of seriously ill COVID-19 patients requiring respiratory intervention. RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVid-19 RapY) study, funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), said that low doses of cheaply available drug improve survival rates in certain coronavirus patients.

This is first treatment to be shown to reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilator support. This is great news and I congratulate Government of UK, University of Oxford, and many hospitals and patients in UK who have contributed to this lifesaving scientific breakthrough," Dr Tedros ham Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General was quoted as saying on its official website.

Dexamethasone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders, allergic reactions, certain skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, certain bowel disorders, and certain cancers. It is also used as a test for an renal gland disorder.

recent trial conducted by scientists suggests that dexamethasone, which is an easily available drug can be used in treatment of coronavirus patients. According to study, 2,100 patients who were given dexamethasone were compared with over 4,000 ors who did t receive drug. results showed that one-third of deaths were prevented in patients under ventilator support and one fifth for patients under oxygen support. 

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