[ad_1]
The researchers estimate that if this drug had been used in the United Kingdom (UK) since the start of the pandemic, it would have been possible to save 5,000. lives. Because the drug is inexpensive, it can be especially useful in poor countries with high COVID-19 rates.
The BBC writes that a medicine used to reduce inflammation appears to help stop damage to the immune system by fighting the coronavirus. For example, cytokine storm The so-called strong body reaction can be fatal.
In a study at Oxford University, about 2,000. Hospital patients received dexamethasone, the results were compared to more than 4,000. patients who have not been treated with this medicine.
It is the first drug that, as we see in the preliminary results, improves patient survival. And that is very important.
In patients with ventilated lungs, the risk of death was reduced by 40 percent. up to 28 percent. In patients requiring oxygen therapy, the risk of death was reduced by 25 percent. up to 20 percent
Research professor Peter Horby said: “Until now, it is the only medicine that can reduce mortality and reduce it significantly. It’s a breakthrough “.
The BBC writes that dexamethasone does not appear to help people who have milder symptoms of coronavirus, those who do not need help breathing.
In the UK, treating a patient with dexamethasone for 10 days costs around £ 5 (€ 5.6).
Expert: discovery is very important
Simona Stankevičiūtė, adviser to the State Drug Control Commission, says she positively evaluates the research by British scientists and hopes Lithuanian doctors will take her findings into account.
“As I believe what will happen now, research centers and hospitals in our country will take this result into account when weighing the individual balance between benefit and risk, and will decide whether to prescribe treatment to the population or not. The findings in this study are very important because it is the first drug that, as we see in the preliminary results, improves patient survival. And that is very important. I am sure doctors will take these results into account, ”said an alternate member of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency.
Žygimantas Gedvila / 15min photo / VU Life Sciences Center laboratory
According to S. Stankevičiūtė, the population should not take dexamethasone alone.
“I’m sure a lot of people could actually find this medicine in the medicine cabinet. It’s very important that people don’t start consuming them themselves when they hear this news, as the study authors strongly emphasized that the benefits were seen only in those they were in a difficult condition. They had to be hospitalized, they needed extra oxygen and they were ventilated. Prophylactically, the medication does not work. “It is very important that the population does not start self-medication, because the medication also has side effects,” he said.
VIDEO: Lithuanian doctors on new life-saving drug COVID-19: well known, but should not be used alone
It was administered to cancer patients.
The president of the Lithuanian Medical Association L. Labanauskas said in detail what side effects this drug has.
“It weakens the immune system called a minor depressant. A bit like (…) cancer drugs, which are big and small. He is similar. And in the past, even in the case of some cancer diseases, we also gave it as such until science progressed. It’s like suppressing that immunity and reducing inflammation, ”says the head of the doctors’ union.
Photo by Irmantas Gelūnas / 15min / Liutauras Labanauskas
According to him, it is also important to understand that the drug is not antiviral, but only treats the symptoms.
“An old anti-inflammatory drug. Popular speech: a hormone. It is used by all patients with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma. Greatly reduces inflammation. If we have inflammation of the mucous membranes, not necessarily infectious, it reduces swelling, a person can breathe, etc. I highly doubt that the drug can kill a virus that has nothing to do with viruses. It can be used to relieve COVID-19 in patients. (…) There are more effective ways to eliminate inflammation faster, “says the doctor.
[ad_2]
