What is Remdesivir?
Remdesivir can be used to treat adults or children who weigh more than 7 pounds (3 kilograms) and who have positive results for COVID-19.
- In a hospital
- Not in a hospital with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.
Remdesivir can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Remdesivir
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
Some side effects can occur before or after an injection. Tell your doctor immediately if you:
- Headache in the neck or ears
- Heartbeats that are fast, slow, or pounding
- Difficulty breathing;
- You may experience swelling on your face.
- Nausea;
- Fever or chills;
- Sweating, itching,
- Feeling lightheaded, like you might pass out.
Some of the common side effects associated with remdesivir include:
- Nausea;
- Abnormal liver function tests
There may be other side effects.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Remdesivir should only be used by people who have COVID-19. Remdesivir must be administered under the supervision of a physician.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to remdesivir, it should be avoided.
Inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease is a serious condition.
Inform your doctor of any pregnancy or breastfeeding plans.You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to track the effects of Remdesivir.
How to take Remdesivir?
You will be tested by your doctor to ensure that you are not suffering from any conditions that would make it unsafe for you to use remdesivir.Remdesivir can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.The infusion of remdesivir can take between 30 and 120 minutes.When you are hospitalized, remdesivir can be given up to 10 times per day.Remdesivir can be given to you once a day for three days if you're not hospitalized.Your liver will require frequent blood tests.While you are receiving remdesivir treatment for COVID-19, you must be under the supervision of a physician.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for COVID-19:
Loading dose (Day 1): 200 mg IV as a single dose
Maintenance dose (from day 2): 100mg IV once daily.
Duration of treatment:
Patients hospitalized requiring mechanical ventilatory or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), 10 days in total
Hospitalized patients who do not require invasive mechanical ventilatory support and/or ECMO for a maximum of 10 days An additional 5 days may be added if there is no clinical improvement.
Nonhospitalized patients: 3 days total
Use: To treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in patients who:
Hospitalized or
Not hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or even death
The usual pediatric dose for COVID-19 is
28 Days Old and Over:
Weight 3 to less than 40 kg
Loading dose (Day 1): 5 mg/kg IV as a single dose
Maintenance Dose (from Day 2): 2.5 mg/kg intravenously once per day
Weight of at least 40 kg
Loading dose (Day 1): 200 mg IV as a single doseMaintenance dose (from Day 2): 100 mg IV, once per day
Duration of treatment:
Patients requiring mechanical ventilation or ECMO for 10 days
Hospitalized patients who do not require invasive mechanical ventilatory support and/or ECMO for a maximum of 10 days An additional 5 days may be added if there is no clinical improvement.
Nonhospitalized patients: 3 days total
Comments:
The only dosage form approved for pediatric patients who weigh 3–40 kg is the lyophilized powder.
Use: To treat COVID-19 patients who:
Hospitalized or
Not hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or even death
What happens if I miss the dose?
You are unlikely to miss a dose of remdesivir because you will be receiving it in a clinic setting.
What happens if I overdose?
If you overdose on remdesivir, you'll be treated immediately by a health care professional.
What should be avoided?
Follow your doctor's instructions if he or she prescribes restrictions on food, drink, and activity.
Interaction with other drug
Inform your doctor if any of these medications are also being taken. These other drugs could reduce the effectiveness of remdesivir.Remdesivir can be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal supplements. Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including those you start or stop using.
