Dexamethasone May Help COVID-19 Infections

Misbar's investigation shows that BBC and NBC also posted on the new findings.

According to the BBC, the low-dose steroid treatment dexamethasone can cut the coronavirus risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators and a fifth for those on oxygen. Dexamethasone is a steroid that works by reducing inflammation by mimicking anti-inflammatory hormones produced by the body. Coronavirus infection triggers inflammation as the body tries to fight it off. However, the body’s immune system can go into overdrive and attack the body’s own cells. Dexamethasone dampens down the body’s immune system.

The findings the BBC article is based upon comes from the Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial to test a range of potential treatments for Covid-19. In the study, 2104 patients were randomized to receive dexamethasone compared to 4321 patients receiving usual care alone. Scientists saw a significant reduction of deaths in patients on ventilators and on oxygen.

Like many of the COVID-19 studies, it is early in the process and peer review has not yet been completed. Also, there are some questions to be worked out like when the best time to administer the drug would be since the drug suppresses the immune system. If the drug is given too early, it could make things worse. According to the study, for patients on a ventilator, eight patients must be treated with the drug to save one life, and for those on oxygen, 25 patients would need to be treated to save one life.

On the other hand, dexamethasone has been around a long time, is readily available and is relatively cheap. Also, many doctors are already familiar with using the drug.

While the preliminary findings seem promising, results of the study have not been peer reviewed. The timing of administering the drug is also still in question. Therefore, it is premature to assume dexamethasone is a treatment for COVID-19.