Dexamethasone & COVID

PulmCrit (EMCrit)

Dexamethasone & COVID

A study in immunopathology, evidence-based medicine, and ourselves

PulmCrit – June 23, 2020 - By Josh Farkas

"Summary: The Bullet

• Dexamethasone is now the standard of care for COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (i.e., requiring oxygen or mechanical ventilation).
• Available evidence does not support the use of dexamethasone in COVID-19 patients who are not requiring oxygen. Using dexamethasone too early is potentially harmful.
• Optimal management of patients with COVID-19 might involve close monitoring of oxygenation (e.g., with home pulse oximetry). Dexamethasone should be initiated if patients become hypoxemic and require supplemental oxygen.
• When dexamethasone supplies are exhausted, equivalent doses of other steroid may be used (e.g., methylprednisolone)."