Although its COVID-19 taskforce has not found any safety risks for corticosteroids so far, the possibility of harm in patients who have normal oxygen levels cannot be ruled out, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said. Scientists have been studying the benefits of several inflammation-fighting medicines to treat COVID-19, including some arthritis treatments and corticosteroids such as dexamethasone and budesonide. The EMA in September endorsed dexamethasone for treating COVID-19 patients with breathing problems after a British trial showed it helped cut death rates in severely ill, hospitalised patients.