Dexamethasone: All you need to know about life-saving drug for COVID-19 patients

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.

In study, conducted at University of Oxford, 2104 patients were given dexamethasone once every day for ten days and were compared with 4321 patients who didn’t receive drug. study found that dexamethasone reduced risk of dying by one-third for patients on ventilators and by one-fifth for those receiving only oxygen.

Prof Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said in a statement that study shows a significant reduction in mortality rate in those requiring oxygen or ventilation. results of widely available drug are being touted as a major breakthrough in treatment of coronavirus patients after hydroxychloroquine failed to work, according to RECOVERY trial, against vel coronavirus.

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Dexamethasone - widely available corticosteroid

Dexamethasone is similar to a natural hormone produced by renal glands and often used against inflammation. immune system of a COVID-19 patient goes into overdrive to fight off coronavirus which causes inflammation. overreaction by immune system can be fatal, so doctors have been testing anti-inflammatory drugs on coronavirus patients.

It is also used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and intestinal disorders; severe allergies; and asthma. It has been listed on WHO Model List of Essential Medicines since 1977 in multiple formulations and is currently off-patent and affordably available in most countries.

World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed initial clinical trial results that showed dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, can be lifesaving for critically ill COVID-19 patients. WHO Director-General Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said that it is first treatment to show a reduction in mortality rate in COVID-19 patients 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,” said WHO chief.

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