Government hospitals in city try steroid hailed by intl experts

Chennai

“We started using the Dexamethasone from June 16; it would take at least a week's time to know how effective that drug is. On Tuesday, we tried using it on a 55-year-old COVID patient, who was admitted in the critical stage. But it was not helpful as the lung was functioning only at 15 per cent.

We tried all support for the patient, including dexamethasone, but as the patient was in the critical stage it did not help,” said Dr K Narayanaswami, Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

Doctors at the government hospitals are also using Methylprednisolone injectibles from March, and added that it is being used for the severely affected COVID patients. Some of them have recovered, said doctors. They said both Methylprednisolone and Dexamethasone are steroids and come under the same category.

“We are already using Methylprednisolone injection from mid-March for severely affected COVID 19 patients. It is effective and many patients have recovered. Now, as we came to know about Dexamethasone, we have started using it from Wednesday. However, it would take at least five to seven days to know its effect,” said Dr P Balaji, Dean of Government Stanley Medical College Hospital.

State Drug Controller K Sivabalan said that Dexamethasone is a commonly available drug in the city, but it can be sold only on valid prescription by medical practitioners.