A steroid that was in shortage before the pandemic has gotten more scarce since researchers reported it can improve the survival rate of COVID-19 patients.
A study from the University of Oxford published June 16 shows dexamethasone reduced the risk of death by up to one-third among coronavirus patients on ventilators.
“Dexamethasone is the first drug to be shown to improve survival in COVID-19. This is an extremely welcome result,” Peter Horby, one of the chief investigators for the trial, said in a statement. “The survival benefit is clear and large in those patients who are sick enough to require oxygen treatment, so dexamethasone should now become standard of care in these patients.”
Dexamethasone can be used in multiple situations, for both ventilated and nonventilated patients. Jeremy Faust, an emergency room doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, described its uses as “remarkably varied and vast.” Ranney said she remembered the injectable dexamethasone was on the FDA’s shortage list and pharmacists had suggested using alternative formulations or medications. Four of the five manufacturers listing the steroid as in shortage cited increased demand.
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