The Union Health Ministry on Saturday released an updated clinical management protocol for COVID-19 cases. This includes the advice to use Dexamethasone as an alternative to Methylprednisolone for managing moderate to severe cases.
“The change has been made after considering the latest available evidence and expert consultation,” noted a senior official of the Ministry.
Dexamethasone is cheap, costs less than 30 paise, a strip of 10 comes at Rs 3, and some 20 companies make the drug in India.
Dexamethasone falls under a class of drugs known as corticosteroids and is used to treat a range of inflammatory conditions including arthritis and other rheumatic problems, swelling in the brain, allergies, asthma and other breathing difficulties. Even eye and dental inflammation is often treated by the steroid.
