MOSCOW, June 17. /TASS/. Have an anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone, which has proven its effectiveness when complications COVID-19, there are side effects, such as increased tendency to thrombosis, and the ability to cause stomach ulcers.
So to assign it should only specialists. TASS told honored doctor of Russia Mikhail Kagan.
Dexamethasone is a steroid drug with anti — inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect. It is used for the treatment of rheumatoid diseases, asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and many other diseases.
After that, the head of the world health organization (who) has called these results a “scientific breakthrough”. However, the study has not yet passed an independent examination and was not published in the any scientific journal. The authors promise to do it soon.
“[the Side effects] are the same as the other drugs in this group — increased tendency to thrombosis, increased blood pressure, increased levels of glucose in the blood, the ability to cause stomach ulcers and so on. This is a serious drug for serious situations with serious side effects. Therefore, only an experienced doctor will know what is what, — said Kagan.
as prophylaxis in the first week after infection by coronavirus to use the drug Kagan is not recommended, as it suppresses the immune system. “This can only help the virus,” explained the doctor.
In General, as explained by Kagan, dexamethasone is known to mankind since the 1960-ies and has long been registered for the treatment of autoimmune diseases in all countries, including the USSR and Russia. Corticosteroids is based on the traditional therapy of many autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, glomerulonephritis, asthma, Kawasaki syndrome, autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, and others.
to Apply corticosteroids in coronavirus infection is logical, the doctor noted, but clear recommendations were not, as previously, there was no evidence of the efficacy of this drug against COVID-19. In addition, the doctors know about the risks of using such steroids. While the seventh version of the temporary methodical recommendations of the Ministry of health “Prevention, diagnosis and treatment for novel coronavirus infection,” dated June 3, was the recommendation that this drug can be used in severe course of the disease, said Hagan.
“it Should be noted that in the UK applied dose of dexamethasone is substantially lower than recommended by our Ministry of health — 6 mg per day (in domestic recommendations — 20 mg per day. I think that the British managed to find the optimal dose, already ensures a positive impact and minimizingsirousho side effects,” concluded the doctor.
In a study of RECOVERY, which began in March 2020, was attended by more than 6.4 thousand patients with coronavirus infection. Of them are randomly selected 2,1 thousand people, which in ten days were given 6 mg of dexamethasone per day. The other participants have to go through in such cases.
the Results showed that the immunosuppressant decreased the number of deaths among patients with severe forms of COVID-19: one-third among patients on ventilator and by 20% among those who needed some extra oxygen.
