It is an alternative to Methylprednisolone
The Union Health Ministry on Saturday released an updated clinical management protocol for COVID-19 cases. This includes the advice to use Dexamethasone as an alternative to Methylprednisolone for managing moderate to severe cases.
“The change has been made after considering the latest available evidence and expert consultation,” noted a senior official of the Ministry.
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Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid drug used in a wide range of conditions for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. The drug was tested in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in the ‘RECOVERY’ clinical trial in the United Kingdom and was found to have benefits for the critically ill patients and reduce mortality by one-third for patients on ventilators and one-fifth for patients on oxygen therapy. The drug is also a part of th