DOH warns: Misuse of steroid drug may cause adverse effects

Health authorities warned the public that the misuse of steroid drug dexamethasone may cause adverse effects, reiterating that there remains no proven treatment for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that they received reports that dexamethasone is being sold online.

“Muli, nais po namin linawin ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan hindi po ito lunas sa COVID-19 at kami po ay nagbibigay ng babala sa unregulated use o paggamit ng gamot na ito ng walang payo at prescription ng doktor [Again, the Department of Health would like to clarify that this is not a cure for COVID-19; and we are warning (the public) against the unregulated use of this drug without a doctor's advice and prescription],” said Vergeire.

“Marami po kaming ulat na natanggap na ito ay binebenta sa social media at sa mga online platforms. Pinapaalalahan po natin ang publiko na ito ay pinagbabawal [We have received many reports that it is being sold on social media and online platforms. We remind the public that this is prohibited],” she added.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued an advisory with regards to the use of dexamethasone.

“The drug should be only dispensed by licensed establishments to patients with valid prescription. The sale of unregistered Dexamethasone or sale of the drug without valid prescription or through online platforms is strictly prohibited,” it said.

According to the FDA, some of the adverse effects that may be experienced due to unsupervised or misuse of the said steroid drug include: Immunosuppression or impairment of the body’s ability to fight infections; gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers; electrolyte imbalance; Osteoporosis; muscle weakness; poor wound healing; prolonged use of the drug may cause suppression of growth among infants and children; obesity.

“If stopped abruptly, it may cause withdrawal symptoms such as hypotension, shock, and coma,” the FDA warned.

Vergeire urged the public not to purchase dexamethasone online as they cannot guarantee the authenticity and quality of these products.

“Nananawagan po ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan na huwag po tayo magpapaloko sa mga taong nais lamang kumita at pagsamantalahan ang ating takot at kaba [The Department of Health calls on the public not to be a victim of those people whose intent is to just earn and take advantage of our fears (brought by COVID-19)],” she said.

“Nauunawaan po namin na gusto na natin agad makahanap ng gamot o lunas sa sakit na ito. Huwag po kayong mag-alala. Ang atin pong mga eksperto ay walang pagod at tuloy-tuloy na ginagawa ito at nakikipagtulungan sa international scientific community para mapabilis ang pagdiskubre ng bakuna o gamot [We understand that we want to find a cure for this disease right away. Don't worry. Our experts are tirelessly and consistently working with the international scientific community to accelerate the discovery of vaccines or drugs],” she said.

To note, medical experts in the United Kingdom recently found in their initial study that dexamethasone can improve COVID-19 survival among patients who are in severe and critical condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed the preliminary results of the said study.