Dexamethasone is first life-saving coronavirus drug (BBC)

[Mike 03]

By Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
16 June 2020 Health

A cheap and widely available drug called dexamethasone can help save the lives of patients who are seriously ill with coronavirus.

UK experts say the low-dose steroid treatment is a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly virus.

It cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators. For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth.

The drug is part of the world's biggest trial testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus.

Researchers estimate that if the drug had been available in the UK from the start of the coronavirus pandemic up to 5,000 lives could have been saved. Because it is cheap, it could also be of huge benefit in poor countries struggling with high numbers of Covid-19 patients.

Life-saver

About 19 out of 20 patients who get coronavirus get better without coming to hospital. Of those who are admitted to hospital, most also get better, but some may need oxygen or mechanical ventilation. These are the high risk patients that dexamethasone appears to help.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/health-53061281

This is interesting because three months back steroids were considered contraindicated for COVID-19.

[Laurelin]

1. I think

Steroids were contraindicated, not because of research or trials with covid, but because they can depress your immune system. If deaths are caused by cytokine storm then this makes sense, though of course it could be some completely different mechanism.

Anyway I know nothing at all. It's good news though.

[Hugin]

3. That's what I'm thinking, too.

I don't know what the distinction of damage done by the virus itself vs the virus/immune response are like. It may be why it's use has been limited to those most severely infected and on breathing assistance.

There's also the consideration of a secondary infection emerging if the immune system is depressed.

[Hugin]

2. There are many different steroids...

I'm glad they are working on treatments for this virus. It seems to be a reasonable approach to saving lives and giving hope. Probably, the best that can be achieved in the short term due to the issues surrounding a vaccine making it's development problematic.

Granted, for this steroid to be effective...

One has to CONTRACT the disease and be on a ventilator/oxygen. Also, it's use requires CLOSE SUPERVISION from a PHYSICIAN or HEALTH CARE PROVIDER who has been TRAINED in the steroid's use. (Disclaimer added for those foolish enough to try and use this steroid as a prophylactic measure. Steroids can be extremely dangerous.) Alas, the things we must do living in the idiotic Turd Reich.

[mopinko]

6. nope. that is just the trial protocol.

once it is approved, it will be given to most patients sick enough to see a doc. might even be given to have on hand for patients w existing lung issues.
or given as treatment for asthma/copd in the first place. what is out there now is shitty.

i'm an old lady w copd, and other high risk factors.
you heard it here first.

[Sgent]

7. Dexamethasone

is an injectable / IV drug. For oral usage you would use prednisone or a rescue inhaler.

[mopinko]

8. ah. thank you.

wonder why it isnt inhaled, tho. bet that changes, too. would act faster.

and i use fluticasone. $250 for a one month inhaler. w bcbs medigap.
$20 as a generic walgreens nasal spray.
i cant even get a 90 day supply. even tho the fda recommended everyone be able to get 90 days of everything.

i suppose the price of this one will go through the roof now.

[Hugin]

11. I was given a similar steroid once following respiratory surgery...

It may have even been Dexamethasone. I don't remember.

However, it resulted in my getting a horrible case of 'thrush' in my upper throat and mouth. ('thrush' is a fungal infection.) For the other infection, i was given a second steroid. Back and forth I went for about six months before everything sorted itself out.

[blitzen]

4. Decreases death rate by about 10%, if true. "Life-saving" is a bit misleading. n/t

[sunonmars]

5. seriously, try and project some positivity, a decrease of deaths by 10% is lifesaving

What the hell do you want, them to pull out some magic bullet, it does not work like that.

[mopinko]

9. unless you are one of the 10%. but you are factually incorrect.

it doesnt say miraculous. it says life saving. and it is.

light up, egg.

[nitpicker]

10. From further on in the article

(snip)

Prof Landray said, when appropriate, hospital patients should now be given it without delay, but people should not go out and buy it to take at home.

Dexamethasone does not appear to help people with milder symptoms of coronavirus - those who don't need help with their breathing.
(snip)

[Hugin]

12. +1 n/t