Dexamethasone

Why in news?

Researchers leading a major clinical trial in the UK announced that the drug dexamethasone had been found to cut death rates by around a third in the most severely ill among Covid-19 patients.

About:

• Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, an easily available medicine that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Its effects are frequently seen within a day, and last for about three days.

• The drug is used when there is any inflammation in the body due to infection or injury.

• The low-cost, anti-inflammatory steroid is well known in the world of sport. Dexamethasone has been used for years by sportspersons to hasten their rehabilitation from injuries and recover from infections.

• The drug is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) list of prohibited substances. Athletes are, however, barred from using dexamethasone only during competition — meaning, if the substance is detected prior to a competition, it will not be considered a doping offence.

• The “first drug to be shown to improve survival” in the pandemic was hailed by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “the biggest breakthrough yet” in the fight against the novel coronavirus.