The World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline Development Group recommended the use of two arthritis drugs called baricitinib and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in combination with corticosteroids to treat patients with severe or critical Covid-19, on Friday. "Today's recommendations are based on new evidence from seven trials involving over 4,000 patients with non-severe, severe, and critical Covid-19 infection," the group said in the British Medical Journal, reported Sputnik.

Trials showed that a combination of corticosteroids with baricitinib and IL-6 - drugs of the Janus kinase inhibitor (JAK) group used to treat rheumatoid arthritis - improves the survival rate and reduces the need for pulmonary ventilation, with no increased adverse effects. "When both are available, they suggest choosing one based on cost, availability, and clinician experience. It is not recommended to use both drugs at the same time," the experts said, reported the news agency.