Egypt’s Drug Authority warns against using dexamethasone to treat coronavirus without medical supervision

Egypt’s Drug Authority (EDA) warned on Tuesday using the generic steroid drug dexamethasone as a treatment for the coronavirus without medical supervision.

EDA’s comments came after a UK-led clinical trial revealed on Tuesday a “major breakthrough” as it showed treating coronavirus patients with the dexamethasone cut death rates by around a third for those with the most serious cases of the virus.

According to the EDA’s statement, using the steroid drug without medical approval and supervision could invite a host of health risks such as immune suppression, swelling of the face, and body extremities, changes in vision, pain and muscle weakness, slow wound healing, stomach bleeding, epileptic seizures, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and heart failure.

Dexamethasone is still under the clinical study and trial phase, the EDA stressed, adding that it has only been tested on specific coronavirus cases in hospitals placed on ventilators and under medical supervision.

The EDA urged citizens not to take any drugs without first consulting medical professionals and to follow all precautions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

It also urged media outlets to verify the accuracy of its news and refer to the EDA for verification of any information related to pharmaceutical drugs and approved medical supplies registered in Egypt, in order to maintain public safety.

On June 4, the EDA previously warned that the excessive use of vitamins may lead to serious side effects, and that citizens should avoid self-prescribed medications to treat or prevent coronavirus, including antibiotics.