Learn more about the role of Remdesivir Injection for COVID-19 Treatment

By now, you have probably heard of the antiviral drug Remdesivir that is used in the emergency treatment of COVID-19. It has made headlines and is flooding social media.

But what is Remdesivir? What does it do? What is it used for? And is it really essential for COVID-19 treatment? 

Find out everything you need to know about Remdesivir below.

Note: This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to replace the recommendations of a medical professional.

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that was created to treat Hepatitis C in 2009. But this did not work, and it was first used effectively in 2014 to treat the Ebola virus and other coronaviruses such as SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Essentially, it gets into the RNA of such viruses and prevents them from making new copies of the virus.

Is Remdesivir a tablet or injection?

Remdesivir is a drug that is given as an injection. It generally comes as a solution or a powder mixed with liquid and is injected intravenously into patients. However, the patients would need to undergo some kidney and liver tests before starting the drug to ensure it is safe to use.

What are the uses for Remdesivir?

This drug is used to treat infections from coronaviruses (such as SARS or COVID-19) in adults and adolescents.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world, the company behind Remdesivir, Gilead Sciences Inc., began to conduct trials and found that it was effective in treating the virus that causes the disease: SARS-COV-2. 

Like Remdesivir is seen to do with other coronaviruses, when it comes to SARS-CoV-2, it is meant to work by stopping the virus from being able to replicate inside of the body. This is sometimes seen to shorten the recovery time in some COVID-19 patients.

Based on these clinical trials, the drug was authorized for emergency use in 50 countries, including India, Singapore, Japan, the European Union, the United States, and Australia, for people with severe symptoms*. 

Nevertheless, it is only to be administered in hospital settings, and never in a home setting.

*However, this does not mean that it has full approval (at this time).

Is it used in India for Treatment?

The drug Remdesivir was approved for emergency use in treating COVID-19 patients in India in July 2020 by the National Clinical Management Protocol for Covid-19. But it is still listed as an investigational therapy. 

It is currently used in India by doctors; however, it is currently only approved in the treatment of patients with mild COVID-19 infections who require oxygen support.

Is it authorized by ICMR or WHO?

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has authorized  Remdesivir as an investigational drug that has been approved for emergency use to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients in selected clinical conditions.

But, they have cautioned that it is “not a life-saving drug in COVID-19" and does not reduce mortality.

On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a conditional recommendation against the use of Remdesivir in all hospitalized patients.

This is because they say that there isn’t enough evidence that it improves the survival of these patients.

Is Remdesivir effective in COVID-19 treatment?

Initial studies suggested that hospitalized patients experienced a faster recovery time, reducing it by five days from 15 days to 10 on average.

It was also suggested that those treated with Remdesivir might not progress to more severe respiratory disease and were less likely to need high levels of respiratory support.

However, results from later trials and reviews found that the drug has no significant effect on patient mortality, recovery time and improvement, and need for ventilation. 

At this time, more research and trials are needed to be certain of the effects of Remdesivir.

The most common side effects of Remdesivir include:

• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating and shivering

More adverse effects include:

• Increases in levels of liver enzymes
• Low potassium
• Low red-blood-cell count
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Respiratory failure

If you have been given the drug and face any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately. 

Remdesivir was developed by the American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences. While it was once only manufactured by them, in May 2012 they granted non-exclusive licenses to five drug companies in India and Pakistan. These companies including Hetero, Mylan, Cipla, Dr. Reddy's, Zydus Cadila, and Sun Pharma, manufacture Remdesivir for distribution to many other countries. 

However, on 11 April 2021, amidst shortages and unavailability of Remdesivir, the Indian government banned the export of the drug.

So, while the antiviral drug Remdesivir might have some moderate benefits for patients suffering from a mild case of COVID-19, research bodies like the WHO and the ICMR say that there is still no evidence that the drug is “life-saving” to hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Thus, it is not required to be given to all patients, especially those with liver or kidney problems, or patients who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.