FDA warns against use of Prodex-B as antiviral treatment for COVID-19

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday warned the public against the use of Prodex-B as an antiviral treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In an advisory, the FDA said the drug cocktail composed of Procaine, Dexamethasone, and Vitamin B is not registered.

"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 advisory read.

The use of such unregistered drug may harm the patient, it added.

Those who have taken Prodex-B shall monitor their health condition. They are advised to seek medical attention for any adverse reaction.

They may also report their cases to the FDA through the e-mails cdrr@fda.gov.ph and ereport@fda.gov.ph.

Earlier in the day, the Department of Health also warned that other approved off-label drugs for COVID-19 treatment shall only be administered at hospitals and shall not be used for self-medication. —AOL, GMA News