The medication Remdesivir is what is referred to as an RNA polymerase inhibitor. Remdesivir was originally developed to treat hepatitis C and was then tested against Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease, but was ineffective for all of these viral infections.
A new study investigated the use of medication Remdesivir in the treatment of COVID-19.
In recent months several clinical studies have proven the efficacy of the Remdesivir against the new Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 when administered for ten days.
Now, in an international study, scientists from eight countries wanted to find out whether a shorter treatment period would also be successful.
In total, 397 patients underwent randomization and began treatment. The patients, rewarded in normal and intensive care units, were arbitrarily separated into two groups and received Remdesivir intravenously over times of five and ten days. In the meantime, the study has been expanded to an additional 5,600 test subjects.
Scientists did not found a significant difference between a 5-day course and a 10-day course of Remdesivir.
Adjunct Teaching Professor Dr. Christoph Spinner said, “The study showed comparable improvements in the clinical condition after therapies lasting for five and ten days. Changes in the patients’ condition were measured using a seven-point scale. The duration of therapy is of great interest in medical treatment.”
“On the one hand patients are only treated as long as is necessary and, when appropriate, can be released from the hospital earlier. On the other hand, the medication would be available to more people, an advantage in the face of expected limitations on production capacities. A shorter application period may also mean a reduction in side-effects for the patient.”
Journal Reference:
- Jason D. Goldman et al., Remdesivir for 5 or 10 Days in Patients with Severe Covid-19. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2015301