Staff Reporter :
Dexamethasone, a cheap and widely available drug which has been able to play a significant role in the treatment of Covid-19 patients, can also be used experimentally in Bangladesh, think experts.
They said there is no bar to the use of this medicine as per the guidelines of steroid although there is no direct mention of the drug in the guidelines for coronavirus treatment.
Experts, however, opined in favour of using the drug for the treatment of three types of critical coronavirus patients under the supervision of physicians.
Public health expert Prof Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed said dexamethasone is a very cheap steroid which is being used in Bangladesh, too. “It should be used quickly under the supervision of expert doctors after incorporating it in the national health guidelines.”
He, however, said the use of the drug for mild symptom or excessive dodge can bring great danger.
Chest disease expert of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Dr M Atiqur Rahman said dexamethasone can be used for three types of patients – those hospitalised, those on ventilation support and those receiving oxygen support – as per the suggestion of physicians.
However, this medicine cannot be used for patients with minor symptoms, he said. Dexamethasone has been able to play a significant role in the treatment of Covid-19 patients, claimed a recent research from the United Kingdom.
According to researchers, the drug can reduce deaths by up to one third in severely ill hospitalised patients. They came up with the disclosure on Tuesday, saying elaborate findings will be released soon, reports AP.
They applied the drug on 2,104 Covid-19 patients after a random selection process and later compared them with other 4,321 patients who were receiving usual care. It was given either orally or using IV method.
After 28 days, it was found that the medicine had reduced deaths by 35 percent in patients who needed treatment with breathing machines and by 20 percent in those only needing supplemental oxygen.
The drug apparently had no impact on those who are comparatively in better physical condition.
