Trial data showed on Tuesday that low doses of the generic steroid drug dexamethasone given to hospitalized patients with coronavirus had reduced mortality by one-third in people with the most serious infections.
Researchers say the findings, described as significant breakthroughs by scientists leading a clinical trial known as the UK led Rehabilitation of Medical Aid, suggest that the drug should immediately become a standardized treatment for patients in the hospital with an epidemic.
Martin Landry of Oxford said, 'The results show that if dexamethasone is given to patients with coronavirus and those on ventilators or on oxygen, lives will be saved, and at remarkably low-cost as well' said the university professors who are co-leading the drug trial.
His co-lead investigator, Peter Harby, said dexamethasone widely used to reduce inflammation in common diseases was 'the only drug that has been shown to reduce mortality and there is a significant reduction.'
'This is a significant development,' he said.
There is currently no approved treatment or vaccine for COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus that has killed more than 431,000 people worldwide.
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