Remdesivir is First and Only FDA-Approved Treatment For Covid-19
FDA approves Remdesivir (Veklury) as first and only treatment for Covid-19 in the U.S.
Good news on the fight against the Coronavirus! Gilead’s Remdesivir is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for Covid-19 in the United States.
The antiviral drug Veklury (Remdesivir) was approved yesterday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.
Veklury works to stop replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
In the United States, Veklury is indicated for adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.
Veklury should only be administered in a hospital or in a healthcare setting capable of providing acute care comparable to inpatient hospital care.
Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components.
For a more in-depth information about the drug Remdesivir, including contraindication, warnings and precautions, drug interactions, dosage and administration, adverse reactions, and considerations for pregnancy and lactation click here.
Veklury has broad-spectrum antiviral activity both in vitro and in vivo in animal models against multiple emerging viral pathogens, including Ebola, SARS, Marburg, MERS and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
A statement from the FDA website states,
“The FDA is committed to expediting the development and availability of COVID-19 treatments during this unprecedented public health emergency,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. “Today’s approval is supported by data from multiple clinical trials that the agency has rigorously assessed and represents an important scientific milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the FDA’s Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program, the agency will to continue to help move new medical products to patients as soon as possible, while at the same time determining whether they are effective and if their benefits outweigh their risks.”
Remdesivir is an antiviral medication that targets a range of viruses. It was originally developed over a decade ago to treat hepatitis C and a cold-like virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Remdesivir wasn’t an effective treatment for either disease. But it showed promise against other viruses.
Researchers tested Remdesivir in clinical trials during the Ebola outbreak. Other investigational medications worked better, but it was shown to be safe for patients. Studies in cells and animals suggested that Remdesivir was effective against viruses in the coronavirus family, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Remdesivir works by interrupting production of the virus. Coronaviruses have genomes made up ribonucleic acid (RNA). Remdesivir interferes with one of the key enzymes the virus needs to replicate RNA. This prevents the virus from multiplying. For additional informations on the final report confirming the benefits of this drug against Covid-19 click here.
Veklury has now been approved or authorized for temporary use as a COVID-19 treatment in approximately 50 countries worldwide.
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