Tag: Veklury

Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) is estimated to affect about 10 people per million annually [1.7.1]. A critical question for clinicians has been: **can remdesivir cause thrombocytopenia**, especially when treating COVID-19, a disease also known to lower platelet counts? [1.6.3]

Despite being a widely recognized antiviral for COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved formulation of remdesivir, sold under the brand name Veklury, does not come in a pill form and is only administered via intravenous (IV) infusion. This method of delivery is crucial for the drug's effectiveness and is a key difference from other available COVID-19 treatments.

Remdesivir (brand name Veklury) was the first FDA-approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19, and unlike other treatments, it is administered solely as an intravenous (IV) infusion. Its administration method is a crucial factor in its clinical use, with a significant difference from oral antivirals, a distinction rooted deeply in its pharmacological properties.

Each individual dose of the antiviral medication remdesivir is administered via an intravenous (IV) infusion that takes between 30 and 120 minutes. The total length of the treatment course depends on a patient's specific medical condition and whether they are hospitalized for COVID-19.

Remdesivir (Veklury) reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 87% in some high-risk outpatient studies. A key question for this intravenous antiviral is: what is the extended duration of remdesivir and how does it influence treatment length?

Originally developed in 2009 by Gilead Sciences, the antiviral drug remdesivir was initially intended to combat hepatitis C and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before being repurposed for its eventual, more famous applications. The history of remdesivir is a remarkable narrative of scientific repurposing, highlighting how a broad-spectrum antiviral candidate evolved from treating one family of viruses to becoming a key tool in global pandemic responses, including both Ebola and COVID-19.

As of early 2024, COVID-19 continues to impact global health, and antiviral treatments like remdesivir remain a key tool in managing the disease. Understanding who qualifies for remdesivir is essential for ensuring appropriate and timely treatment.

While remdesivir has been vital in treating COVID-19, with clinical trials showing improved recovery times for some patients, its use requires careful consideration of the potential for severe adverse reactions. This article explores **what are the severe side effects of remdesivir** and the important monitoring steps healthcare providers take to ensure patient safety.

Paxlovid, an oral antiviral, reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death by 86% in one clinical trial. However, due to significant drug interactions or other contraindications, some patients require an alternative. So, what is a substitute for Paxlovid?

Originally developed by Gilead Sciences around 2009 for hepatitis C, remdesivir was repurposed and extensively investigated for its potential to treat Ebola and other serious RNA viral infections long before the COVID-19 pandemic. The drug's journey highlights the unexpected paths of pharmaceutical development, and understanding what is remdesivir used for other than COVID-19 reveals its significant history and broader antiviral potential.