THE STEROID DEXAMETHASONE COULD BE COVID-19 GAME CHANGER
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Scientists say a major breakthrough has been achieved in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Dexamethasone, a steroid has reduced mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. It is an inexpensive and a commonly available drug.
· The use of this drug has shown improvement in survival among COVID-19 patients in U.K. It has reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third and patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
· These observations were made in clinical trial based in the UK called Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 therapy (RECOVERY).
· In the trial, around 2100 patients were randomly assigned to get the steroid. This was compared with over 4300 patients who did not get it.
· The result of this suggested that one death would be prevented with the use of this drug among every eight ventilated COVID-19 patients. Similarly, one death would be prevented among every 25 COVID-19 patients that received the drug and are on oxygen.
· Dexamethasone was given either orally or through an IV. However, the drug was not beneficial to patients who are not on respiratory support.
· It appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. The drug is widely used to treat disease like lupus, arthritis, asthma and some skin conditions.
· In India, the drug retails for less than 10 Rs for 10 ml and is made by several Indian manufacturers. However, Indian doctors advise cautious endorsement for the drug for COVID-19.
The study has also not yet been peer-reviewed or published.
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