May 26, 2020

Remdesivir for the Treatment of Covid-19 – Preliminary Report

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of IV remdesivir (200mg on day 1, then 100mg daily for up to 9 days) in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 with evidence of lower respiratory tract involvement (n=1,059) found that, compared to placebo, recovery was 32% faster in those who received remdesivir (95%CI 12% to 55%; median recovery time 11 vs 15 days).  
• Though not statistically significant, Remdesivir treatment was associated with a slower time to mortality (HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.47 to 1.04 and mortality by 14 days (7.1% vs 11.9%). Serious adverse events were reported in 21.1% of patients in the remdesivir group and 27% of patients in the placebo group.   

Beigel et al. (May 22, 2020). Remdesivir for the Treatment of Covid-19 – Preliminary Report. The New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2007764