As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, the good news is that researchers and scientists are coming across new methods to fight the disease, especially in patients who have severe complications. In early September, the World Health Organization issued a strong recommendation on the use of corticosteroids as a treatment for people who are very sick from COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health is also recommending the drugs for patients on a ventilator. 

Williamsbridge Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at how these common, inexpensive drugs could save lives during the pandemic.

What Are Corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids help the body regulate metabolism, immune reactions, and stress response. They are used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, and severe allergies. The particular drugs noted in the study are hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone. 

Another thing that’s good about this discovery is that corticosteroids are fairly cheap and widely available. A six to 10-day course can cost between $12 and $20, whereas remdesivir—another drug approved to treat hospitalized coronavirus patients—is being sold to governments at up to $2,400 for a five-day course.  

How Do They Help Treat COVID-19?

It’s important to first note that the treatment was shown to be effective in severely ill COVID-19 patients only. 

The way these drugs work against the coronavirus is the way it interacts with the immune system. The virus can trigger overactive immune responses in some people, and that can cause fatal complications. 

The results of seven different clinical trials all found corticosteroids to reduce death rates in very ill patients. 

  • The chance of death for people on ventilators was reduced from 38% to 30%.
  • Those not on ventilators had their chance of death dropped from 42% to 23%. 
  • Overall, it’s the equivalent of 68% of the sickest COVID-19 patients surviving with corticosteroids, as opposed to a 60% survival rate without this treatment.

To learn more about Williamsbridge Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://williamsbridge-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.