Remdesivir injection is used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 infection) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in hospitalized adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg). Remdesivir is in a class of medications called antivirals. It works by stopping the virus from spreading in the body.

Remdesivir comes as a solution (liquid) and as a powder to be mixed with liquid and infused (injected slowly) into a vein over 30 to 120 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. It is usually given once daily for 5 to 10 days. The length of your treatment depends on how well your body responds to the medication.

Remdesivir injection may cause serious reactions during and after the infusion of the medication. A doctor or nurse will monitor you carefully while you are receiving the medication. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during or after the infusion: chills or shivering; nausea; vomiting; sweating; dizziness upon standing up; rash; wheezing or shortness of breath; abnormally fast or slow heartbeat; or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes. Your doctor may need to slow down your infusion or stop your treatment if you experience these side effects.

The FDA has approved an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow children weighing 8 pounds (3.5 kg) to less than 88 pounds (40 kg) or children less than 12 years of age weighing at least 8 pounds (3.5 kg) who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 to receive remdesivir.

The FDA has approved an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow children weighing 8 pounds (3.5 kg) to less than 88 pounds (40 kg) or children less than 12 years of age weighing at least 8 pounds (3.5 kg) who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 to receive remdesivir.

Many combinations of remdesivir with other drugs, for example, lopinavir, ritonavir, interferon beta-1a & 1b, merimepodib, NA-831, baricitinib, dexamethasone, tocilizumab, risankizumab, lenzilumab, plitidepsin, and hydroxychloroquine, are in a clinical trial to treat COVID-19.

Nausea is the most common side effect of remdesivir. Remdesivir can cause allergic reactions during its infusion or after the infusion. Consequently, the remdesivir treatment must be discontinued in patients showing clinically significant hypersensitivity to remdesivir or any component of its product. The remdesivir dose (150 mg) for 7–14 days revealed a reversible increase in the liver enzymes, for example, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase . Besides, remdesivir can also lead to an increase in the prothrombin time . Therefore, liver function tests and determination of the prothrombin time are recommended before and during the remdesivir therapy. The injection of remdesivir is prepared in sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBECD), which can cause renal dysfunction due to its accumulation in the kidney. 

Thanks and regards,

Robert Har.