ROLE OF PIROXICAM IN CONTROLLING FEVER IN COVID 19 - AN OBSERVATIONAL CASE SERIES STUDY

INTRODUCTION- COVID 19 pandemic is creating havoc in medical infrastructure. Further misery is created by the fact that there is no proven treatment of COVID 19 infection. Most of the drugs given currently in COVID 19 is for symptomatic management of infection. Updated protocols released on time to time basis have drugs which are based more on clinical observations rather than experimental ones. These drugs consists mainly repositioned drugs already approved by FDA for other disease treatment. METHOD- In our study, we have used Piroxicam polyhedral crystals sublingually for control of fever in COVID 19 pneumonia which was not controlled by Paracetamol and steroids combination. It was advised in patients progressing to severe disease category or developing pneumonia. RESULT- Our case series with limited data shows that cases have responded well to Piroxicam in control of fever. They became normothermic after single dose of drug. Further, patients' blood oxygen levels have also improved with therapy; however, with limited data, a cause-effect relationship could not be determined. CONCLUSION- At present, Piroxicam can be advised in COVID 19 infection under medical supervision for control of persistent high fever. In future, randomised studies are needed to further consolidate above claim that Piroxicam is helpful in controlling fever as well as improving blood oxygen saturation of cases