Practical info Route: Systemic corticosteroids may be administered both orally and intravenously. Of note, while the bioavailability of dexamethasone is very high (that is, similar concentrations are achieved in plasma after oral and intravenous intake), critically ill patients may be unable to absorb any nutrients or medications due to intestinal dysfunction. Clinicians therefore may consider administering systemic corticosteroids intravenously rather than orally if intestinal dysfunction is suspected. Duration: While more patients received corticosteroids in the form of dexamethasone 6 mg daily for up to 10 days, the total duration of regimens evaluated in the seven trials varied between 5 and 14 days, and treatment was generally discontinued at hospital discharge (i.e. the duration of treatment could be less than the duration stipulated in the protocols). Dose: The once daily dexamethasone formulation may increase adherence. A dose of 6 mg of dexamethasone is equivalent (in terms of glucocorticoid effect) to 150 mg of hydrocortisone (i.e. 50 mg every 8 hours), 40 mg of prednisone, or 32 mg of methylprednisolone (8 mg every 6 hours or 16 mg every 12 hours). Monitoring: It would be prudent to monitor glucose levels in patients with severe and critical COVID-19, regardless of whether the patient is known to have diabetes. Timing: The timing of therapy from onset of symptoms was discussed by the panel. The RECOVERY investigators reported a subgroup analysis suggesting that the initiation of therapy 7 days or more after symptom onset may be more beneficial than treatment initiated within 7 days of symptom onset. A post hoc subgroup analysis within the PMA did not support this hypothesis. While some panel members believed that postponing systemic corticosteroids until after viral replication is contained by the immune system may be reasonable, many noted that, in practice, it is often impossible to ascertain symptom onset and that signs of severity often appear late (i.e. denote a co-linearity between severity and timing). The panel concluded that, given the evidence, it was preferable to err on the side of administering corticosteroids when treating patients with severe or critical COVID-19 (even if within 7 days of symptoms onset) and to err on the side of not giving corticosteroids when treating patients with non-severe disease (even if after 7 days of symptoms onset).