Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a generic steroid widely used in other diseases or disorders to reduce inflammation. This drug helps stop some of the damage that can happen when the body’s immune system goes overdrive as it tries to fight off coronavirus.

A statement by the researchers associated with an Oxford University-led clinical trial — Randomised Evaluation of COVid-19 thERapY (RECOVERY) Trial suggests that dexamethasone may reduce by upto one-third in hospitalized patients with severe respiratory complications due to COVID-19.

This is the same study that earlier this month showed that the malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine was not working against coronavirus.

In the trial, 2104 patients were given dexamethasone and were compared to 4321 patients who did not receive the drug. The drug is shown to cut the risk of death by one third of patients by ventilators and those for oxygen, it cuts death by one fifth.

This steroid medicine has been available as a generic for decades. It is used to treat a wide range of diseases like arthritis, allergy, rheumatism and even help cancer patients to better handle the nausea triggered by chemotherapy.

TEST RESULTS:

The data showed, for patients on ventilators, it cuts the risk of death from 40 percent to 28 percent. For patients needing oxygen, it cuts the risk of death from 25 percent to 20 percent.

Researchers further estimated that the drug will prevent one death for every eight patients treated while on breathing machines and one for every 25 patients on extra oxygen alone.

However, dexamethasone does not help people with milder symptoms for coronavirus i.e those who don’t need help with breathing.

While research is still going on to find out more about the “life saving” drug, we remain hopeful that it wouldn’t be a disappointment this time.