In a landmark UK clinical trial, dexamethasone—a potent steroid—demonstrated significant benefits for severe COVID-19 patients, outperforming earlier treatments like chloroquine by lowering death risk. The UK government has authorized its use as a frontline therapy.
Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid with powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. It is 40 times more potent than cortisol, the body's natural steroid hormone. Researchers from the University of Oxford, leading the RECOVERY trial, highlighted its effectiveness against COVID-19.
In a June 16, 2020, press release (PDF in English / 2 pages), trial leaders expressed optimism: dexamethasone is the first drug shown to improve survival in COVID-19 patients, potentially preventing one in eight deaths.
The RECOVERY trial treated 2,104 patients with oral or intravenous dexamethasone and compared outcomes to 4,321 untreated patients after about ten days. Results showed a one-third reduction in mortality for patients on artificial ventilation. For those needing oxygen via mask but not intubation, mortality dropped by one-fifth. It offers limited benefit for milder cases without respiratory support.
These findings position dexamethasone as a potential standard treatment for severe COVID-19, especially given its anti-inflammatory strength for lung complications. As an affordable, readily available drug, it enables rapid deployment to save lives.
Convinced by the evidence, the UK government has approved dexamethasone for the most serious COVID-19 cases.
