Medium lowers corona death rate: Dexamethasone becomes Covid-19 drug

The active ingredient dexamethasone is very promising as one of the few means in the treatment of severe corona cases. In severe cases, it significantly reduces mortality. The agent is now recommended across the EU for the treatment of certain Covid 19 patients.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) supports the use of the active ingredient dexamethasone for the treatment of seriously ill Covid-19 patients. According to a study, the agent could reduce the death rate in certain patients, said the EMA in Amsterdam. Use in adults and adolescents who need artificial ventilation or who need additional oxygen therapy can be considered.

Dexamethasone is already approved in the EU, but for other uses. Companies can now apply for an extension of the existing approval for corona treatment. Basically, doctors have been able to treat corona patients with dexamethasone so far – this is known as "off-label use".

The EMA came to the recommendation based on an examination of the results of the Oxford University recovery study on patients with Covid-19. According to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), data was recorded during a period of 28 days after the start of the dexamethasone treatment.

Active ingredient helps patients with oxygen treatment

The results so far suggest that, compared to the usual treatment, dexamethasone reduces mortality in patients with artificial ventilation by around 35 percent and in patients who received oxygen therapy by around 20 percent. The mortality in patients who do not need oxygen therapy, however, has not been reduced.

The World Health Organization had previously recommended the additional treatment of Covid 19 patients who need artificial ventilation with certain corticosteroids. Dexamethasone belongs to the group of corticosteroids. According to the BfArM, dexamethasone has been approved in the EU by the national pharmaceutical authorities and has been available for several decades. Among other things, the active ingredient can be used in inflammatory diseases and to reduce the body's own immune response in the treatment of allergies and autoimmune diseases.