Steroid drug dexamethasone hailed as a 'major breakthrough' in treating coronavirus

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The steroid dexamethasone is the first drug to significantly reduce the risk of death among severe COVID-19 cases, in trial results hailed as a 'major breakthrough' in the fight against the disease.

Normally used to treat a range of allergic reactions as well as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory.

"Dexamethasone is the first drug to be shown to improve survival in COVID-19. This is an extremely welcome result," said Peter Horby, professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford.READ MOREBritain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the country's patients would start to receive the drug immediately.

Trials of treatment of the anti-arthritis drug hydroxychloroquine were halted in several countries after a major study in The Lancet medical journal suggested it showed no benefit among COVID-19 patients and even increased the risk of death.

 

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It perhaps should be pointed out, before everyone goes running out stockpiling the drug next to their toilet paper hoard, that the researchers said it is ineffective in mild cases and as a preventive. Resist the urge folks, don't do it!

I hope Clive Palmer doesn't read this!

I said this Mths ago..

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