Health Ministry adds steroid dexamethasone in Covid-19 treatment protocol

It also recommended hydroxychloroquine in patients during the early course of the disease and not on critically ill patients

An inexpensive, widely used steroid dexamethasone was included in the treatment protocols for Covid-19 patients in moderate to severe stages of illness among other therapeutic measures by the Union health ministry on Saturday.

The updated protocol includes the advice to use dexamethasone as an alternative choice to methylprednisolone for managing moderate to severe cases of Covid-19. The change has been made after considering the latest available evidence and expert consultation, the ministry said.

According to the revised 'Clinical Management Protocols for Covid-19', dexamethasone which is already used in treating lung infections besides in awide range of conditions for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant