Real-life use of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Rev Esp Quimioter. 2021 Apr;34(2):136-140. doi: 10.37201/req/018.2021. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Abstract

Objective: Controversial results on remdesivir efficacy have been reported. We aimed to report our real-life experience with the use of remdesivir from its availability in Spain.

Methods: We performed a descriptive study of all patients admitted for ≥48 hours with confirmed COVID-19 who received remdesivir between the 1st of July and the 30th of September 2020.

Results: A total of 123 patients out of 242 admitted with COVID-19 at our hospital (50.8%) received remdesivir. Median age was 58 years, 61% were males and 56.9 % received at least one anti-inflammatory treatment. No adverse events requiring remdesivir discontinuation were reported. The need of intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation and 30-days mortality were 19.5%, 7.3% and 4.1%, respectively.

Conclusions: In our real-life experience, the use of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was associated with a low mortality rate and good safety profile.

Objetivo: Se han comunicado resultados controvertidos sobre la eficacia de remdesivir. Nuestro objetivo es comunicar nuestra experiencia en vida real con el uso de remdesivir desde su disponibilidad en España.

Métodos: Realizamos un estudio descriptivo de todos los pacientes ingresados durante ≥48 horas con COVID-19 confirmado que recibieron remdesivir entre el 1 de julio y el 30 de septiembre de 2020.

Resultados: Un total de 123 pacientes de los 242 ingresados con COVID-19 en nuestro hospital (50,8%) recibieron remdesivir. La mediana de edad fue de 58 años, el 61% eran varones y el 56,9% recibieron al menos un tratamiento anti-inflamatorio. No se registraron acontecimientos adversos que requirieran la interrupción del remdesivir. La necesidad de ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, la ventilación mecánica y la mortalidad a los 30 días fueron del 19,5%, el 7,3% y el 4,1%, respectivamente.

Conclusiones: En nuestra experiencia, el uso de remdesivir en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 se asoció con una baja tasa de mortalidad y un buen perfil de seguridad.

Keywords: Antivirals; COVID-19; outcome; remdesivir.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Alanine / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 / mortality
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Inpatients*
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Respiration, Artificial / statistics & numerical data
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antiviral Agents
  • remdesivir
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Dexamethasone
  • tocilizumab
  • Alanine