DGHS issues revised guidelines for use of Ivermectin, Doxycycline

The Union Health Ministry and Family Welfare’s directorate general of health services (DGHS) has issued revised guidelines to stop the use of Ivermectin and Doxycycline in Covid-19 treatment. The new guidelines have dropped all medicines, except antipyretic and antitussive, for asymptomatic and mild cases.However, there seems to be a split in opinion about the new directives as the Indian Council for Medical Research, the country’s leading health agency in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, has not yet approved the revised guidelines.

Meanwhile, about Remdesivir, the DGHS guidelines said, “Remdesivir is a reserved drug approved by DCG (I) under Emergency Use Authorization only based on limited scientific evidence globally. It is to be used only in select moderate/ severe hospitalised Covid-19 patients on supplemental oxygen within 10 days of onset of disease.”

“Physicians are advised to exercise extreme caution in using remdesivir as this is only an experimental drug with potential to harm.”

Meanwhile, about the usage of Tocilizumab, the revised guidelines said, “Tocilizumab is an immunosuppressant drug and it has been approved by DCG (I) for use as an off-label drug only in severe and critically ill patients of Covid-19.”

New guidelines were also laid out for steroids. “Steroids are indicated in only hospitalized moderately severe and critically ill Covid-19 cases. Steroids should be used at the right time, in right dose and for right duration. Self-medication of steroids must be avoided,” the health ministry said.