Context

• A low-cost, widely used steroid, dexamethasone, has become the subject of discussion after researchers from the Recovery Trial reported that it helps reduce death rates in certain Covid-19 patients.

What is dexamethasone?

• an anti-inflammatory drug, commonly used to treat conditions in which the body’s immune system does not function properly, and causes inflammation and tissue damage. 
• reduces the production of the chemicals that cause inflammation
• reduces the activity of the immune system by affecting the way white blood cells function.
• falls in a category called corticosteroids, which closely mimic cortisol, the hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands in humans.
• commonly used in treatment for rheumatological inflammatory conditions: inflammations of muscles, inflammation of blood vessels, chronic arthritis, and lupus.
• used in lung diseases, kidney inflammation and eye inflammation, and to reduce swelling associated with tumours of the brain and spine.
• In cancer patients, it is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy drugs.