By Ben Rosario The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned health facilities and medical professionals against prescribing the drug combination of Procaine and Dexamethasone with Vitamin B called “Prodex B” for treatment and prevention of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Food and Drug Administration
(FDA official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) In Advisory 2020-452, the FDA said the recommended treatment guidelines endorsed by the Department of Health and the medical societies should be strictly observed. “The drug combination of Procaine and Dexamethasone with Vitamin B called “Prodex-B” is circulating in various media platforms and claims that it has promising effects against viral infections and diseases,” the agency said. Prodez B is unregistered, the FDA said. “Procaine is an anesthetic used to reduce pain on injections, while Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid which must be used cautiously due to its side effects including immunosuppression or weaker immune system leading to vulnerability to infections,” the FDA statement said. It added: “Furthermore, unregistered drug products have no guaranteed quality, safety and efficacy data which may lead to patient harm.” Patients who experience adverse reactions after taking the drug have been advised to report to the FDA immediately. A number of anti-COVID-19 drugs are undergoing clinical tests but countries like France, China, Japan and even the United States have allowed doctors to prescribe them to infected patients. Cuba stands by the efficacy of its Interferon Alfa2b, prompting Bayan Muna lawmakers to call on Philippine health authorities to import the reported wonder drug. The DOH has permitted hospitals to prescribe off label drugs like Chloroquine to COVID-19 patients. US medical experts have endorsed the Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin combo for the growing number of persons infected with 2019 coronavirus that has killed thousands of people worldwide. Fujifilm of Japan has doubled its production of Avidan tabs after Chinese hospitals backed its ability to treat CoVid 19 inflicted patients.