Cure Covid-19? UGM Academics: Dexamethasone Must Supervise Doctors Page all

KOMPAS.com – Researchers in the UK say that the dexamethasone drug can cure Covid-19 patients. Of course the patient was also still given standard therapy Covid-19.

The patient was cured after being given a low to moderate dose of dexamethasone (6 mg / day) for 10 days.

According to the lecturer from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), pharmacist Ika Puspitasari, M.Sc., Ph.D, patients who experienced healing as many as 2,100 were Covid-19 patients. The patient received oxygen therapy or used a ventilator (severe or critical Covid-19 patient).

Also read: UGM Academics: Drug Users Are More at Risk of Corona Infection

“On the website of Nature magazine, dexamethasone will not have an effect if it is given to mild Covid-19 patients,” he said as quoted by the UGM Pharmacy Faculty page, Sunday (6/21/2020).

Must be under a doctor’s supervision

It is said, the use of other corticosteroids is also commonly used in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) by clinicians, although not dexamethasone.

Corticosteroids used are methyl prednisolone (MP) 2 mg / kg for 32 days or hydrocortisone injection of 100 mg / 24 hours for at least 3 days.

ARDS is a manifestation of Covid-19 infection in severe to critical stages, so patients need oxygen therapy and even ventilators.

“For the use of corticosteroids, whether methyl prednisolone, hydrocortisone or dexamethasone should be used under strict doctor’s supervision,” he said.

“Of course, given the side effects caused are very dangerous,” he added.

Hard drug class

Described, dexamethasone is a hard drug of corticosteroid which has long been used for handling allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Such as rheumatism and systemic lupus erythematosus (LES), cancer, postoperative pain and nausea, vomiting, adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), and Cushing’s disease.

In addition dexamethasone has a very strong anti-inflammatory effect because it is able to inhibit the enzyme phospholipase which plays a role in inflammation.

As well as inhibiting the release of vasoactive and chemoactive factors as well as other factors that play a role in inflammation, namely interleukin (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6) and TNF-α.

Dexamethasone itself is also often misused, which is added to traditional herbal medicine for achy rheumatic pain without calculating the dose of dexamethasone added.

So it is known by the community as a potent aching herbal pain. Such herbs are illegal herbs because they endanger the community and are prohibited from being traded.

The use of dexamethasone should be monitored by doctors considering the side effects that occur are very dangerous.

Side effects that occur in the use of dexamethasone occur due to the effects that are indeed owned by dexamethasone, namely the metabolic and catabolic effects on bones, muscles, connective tissue, nerves, digestive tract, growth and lungs.

There are side effects that are often experienced by corticosteroid users including dexamethasone if used for a long time, or in large doses.

Side effects

• Bone: bone loss, muscle disorders
• Gastrointestinal tract: peptic ulcer / inflammation of the stomach, inflammation of the pancreas, fatty liver
• Immune: decreased immune function
• Heart and blood vessels: hypertension, heart rhythm disorders, plaque buildup in the heart
• Eyes: glaucoma, cataracts
• Skin: the growth of many feathers, skin atrophy, spotty, accumulation of fatty tissue on the shoulders and face
• Hormones: diabetes, weight gain, reproductive hormone disorders
• Behavior: difficulty sleeping, psychiatric disorders, memory and emotional disorders

Prohibited from participating in illegal consumption

In conclusion, given the extremely dangerous side effects, the use of dexamethasone must be closely monitored by doctors.

The public is advised not to buy dexamethasone without a doctor’s prescription, as currently dexamethasone tablets or injections have been sold online through online shopping sites.

For Covid-19 treatment, dexamethasone is only given in severe and critical cases of Covid-19 who are hospitalized.

“People do not need to go along with dexamethasone consumption if they do not want to experience dangerous side effects,” he said.

Also read: UGM Pharmacy Professor: This is Covid-19 Healing Therapy

“If a healthy person consumes dexamethasone, the body’s immune system drops, so it is susceptible to any infection, including Covid-19,” Ika said.

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