remdesivir at a glance
Medicine class
Direct-acting antiviral
Used for
COVID-19 in eligible adults and children
How it is given
Intravenous infusion prepared and administered by a healthcare professional
Monitoring
Observation for infusion reactions, with kidney assessment where clinically appropriate
What is remdesivir used for?
Licensed uses include treating COVID-19 in adults and children aged at least 4 weeks who weigh at least 3 kg.
COVID-19 pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen, including low-flow or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation at treatment initiation.
COVID-19 without a need for supplemental oxygen when the person is at increased risk of progressing to severe disease.
How does remdesivir work?
Inside cells, remdesivir is converted into an active nucleotide-like compound. This competes with a natural building block used by the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase, disrupting production of new viral RNA and limiting viral replication.
remdesivir preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 100 mg
How to take remdesivir
Remdesivir is not swallowed. A healthcare professional prepares it and gives it through a drip into a vein in a setting equipped to manage severe allergic reactions.
It must not be injected into a muscle.
Patients are monitored during and, as clinically appropriate, after the infusion.
remdesivir side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea
- Headache
- Rash
- Raised liver transaminases on blood tests
- Prolonged prothrombin time on blood tests
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic or infusion-related reaction, including breathing difficulty, wheezing, facial or throat swelling, blood-pressure changes, low oxygen or collapse
- Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock
- Unusually slow heartbeat, particularly with faintness, breathlessness or weakness
remdesivir in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information remains limited, especially for the first trimester. Product information advises avoiding first-trimester use unless the woman's clinical condition requires it; use later in pregnancy may be considered. Specialist assessment should balance the risks of COVID-19 against treatment uncertainties.
remdesivir while breastfeeding
Remdesivir and its main metabolite pass into breast milk in very small amounts, and clinically important infant exposure is not expected because oral absorption is poor. Experience remains limited, so continuing or interrupting breastfeeding should be decided with the clinical team after an individual benefit–risk assessment.
remdesivir interactions
The treating team should review all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before remdesivir is given.
Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine
Concurrent use is not recommended because laboratory evidence suggests these medicines may reduce remdesivir's activation and antiviral activity.
Other medicines in the same intravenous line
Remdesivir should not be mixed or administered simultaneously through the same dedicated line except with compatible products specified in the product information.
Common questions about remdesivir
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is remdesivir an antiviral?
Yes. It is a direct-acting antiviral that interferes with the viral enzyme needed to copy SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
Is remdesivir licensed for children?
Yes. The selected product is licensed for eligible children aged at least 4 weeks who weigh at least 3 kg. Safety and efficacy below these thresholds are not established.
Can remdesivir be taken as a tablet?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.