What is the role of remdesivir in patients with COVID-19?

Link to article at PubMed

Curr Opin Crit Care. 2021 Aug 4. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000866. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: COVID-19 represents an unprecedented public health crisis caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The antiviral remdesivir is one component of treating COVID-19. Unfortunately, the trials evaluating remdesivir have reported mixed results, leading to uncertainty on when to use remdesivir. This review discusses the trials evaluating the efficacy of remdesivir for COVID-19 and other supporting data to help inform the role of remdesivir in patients with COVID-19.

RECENT FINDINGS: Since the start of the pandemic, there have been four randomized trials of remdesivir in treating patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Since then, more extensive observational studies have provided supportive data.

SUMMARY: The majority of trials evaluating remdesivir suggest that remdesivir is effective in the treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Although there may be a benefit in some subgroups more than others, there is insufficient data to make definitive statements about benefits or lack of benefits in particular groups. Remdesivir has demonstrated clinical benefits such as decreased time in the hospital, lower progression to mechanical ventilation, and decreased utilization of other hospital resources; it is unclear if it reduces mortality, but one randomized controlled trial suggested possible survival benefits. Based on the data available, remdesivir has been approved (or authorized for early use) in 48 countries.

PMID:34353998 | DOI:10.1097/MCC.0000000000000866

One Comment

  1. Remdesivir was given to patients in Africa as an attempt to treat Ebola patients but it had to be pulled because 54% of the patients died due to kidney failure. The common side effects of this drug alone are alarming it causes chest pain and respiratory distress. Now give that to a patient who is already having trouble breathing it is a recipe for disaster. It seems to me like the coronavirus isnt causing kidney problems, it’s the remdesivir that they often mix with dextromethorphan which also has a 4% change of causing kidney failure. What is going on here. You would think the cdc of all people would know that this going to kill people.

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