An inexpensive, widely available steroid is the first to reduce death rates among people with severe cases of covid-19, according to results of a British clinical trial.
Low doses of dexamethasone, a generic drug used to lower inflammation for other illnesses, decreased death rates by nearly a third in patients on ventilators and by and one-fifth in other patients receiving oxygen.
“This is the most important trial result for covid-19 so far. … It will save lives around the world.” Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, said on Twitter.
Comments