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Remdesivir: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh

Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral (nucleotide analog prodrug) indicated for: Established/approved use: Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized adult and pediatric…

Forms:IV Infusion

About Remdesivir

Indications of Remdesivir

Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral (nucleotide analog prodrug) indicated for:

  • Established/approved use: Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized adult and pediatric patients.
  • Established/approved use: Treatment of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized adult and pediatric patients with mild-to-moderate disease who are at high risk for progression to severe disease, including hospitalization or death.

Remdesivir is not indicated for the treatment of conditions other than COVID-19; it has no established role against other respiratory viruses.

Dosage & Administration of Remdesivir

Remdesivir is administered only by intravenous (IV) infusion under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional in a setting capable of managing hypersensitivity or infusion-related reactions. It must never be given as an intramuscular injection or oral dose.

Patient groupRegimen
Hospitalized adults and pediatric patients ≥40 kg200 mg IV loading dose on Day 1, then 100 mg IV once daily; 5-day course, extendable to 10 days if no clinical improvement, especially in patients requiring mechanical ventilation/ECMO
Non-hospitalized adults and pediatric patients ≥40 kg with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, high risk of progression200 mg IV loading dose on Day 1, then 100 mg IV once daily on Days 2 and 3 (3-day total course), started within 7 days of symptom onset
Pediatric patients weighing 3 kg to less than 40 kgWeight-based dosing (5 mg/kg loading dose, then 2.5 mg/kg once daily) as per approved pediatric dosing tables; must be individualized by the treating physician

Each dose is infused over approximately 30-120 minutes. Patients should be monitored during infusion and for at least 1 hour after for signs of hypersensitivity or infusion-related reactions.

Remdesivir must be given exactly as prescribed and only under direct medical supervision; the number and duration of infusions should not be altered without physician guidance.

Side Effects of Remdesivir

Adverse effects reported with Remdesivir include:

  • Common: Nausea, increased liver transaminases (ALT/AST elevation), infusion-site reactions.
  • Less common but clinically important: Hypersensitivity and infusion-related reactions (hypotension, sweating, shivering, nausea, flushing), which may occur during or shortly after infusion and can be severe or rarely anaphylactic.
  • Other reported effects: Headache, rash, elevated prothrombin time, and rarely, bradycardia (particularly noted in some hospitalized patients) and seizures.

Patients should be monitored during infusion for hypersensitivity reactions; if a severe reaction occurs, the infusion should be stopped immediately and appropriate treatment given (see Contraindications and Precautions).

Contraindications of Remdesivir

Remdesivir is contraindicated in patients with a known history of clinically significant hypersensitivity to Remdesivir or to any excipient in the formulation, including the solubilizing agent sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin sodium (SBECD).

Frequently Asked Questions about Remdesivir

What is Remdesivir used for?

Remdesivir is an antiviral medicine used to treat COVID-19 in hospitalized patients and in certain non-hospitalized patients who are at high risk of their illness becoming severe.

How is Remdesivir given?

Remdesivir is given only as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinical setting; it is not available as a tablet or capsule and cannot be self-administered at home.

What are the common side effects of Remdesivir?

The most common side effects of Remdesivir include nausea and elevated liver enzymes. Infusion-related reactions such as low blood pressure, sweating, and flushing can also occur, so patients are monitored during and after each infusion.

Can Remdesivir be used during pregnancy?

Remdesivir has no formal pregnancy safety category. Data from later-pregnancy exposure have not shown a clear increased risk of birth defects, but information on early pregnancy is limited. Remdesivir should be used in pregnancy only if a physician determines that the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

Who should not receive Remdesivir?

Remdesivir should not be given to anyone with a known history of a significant allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to Remdesivir or to any ingredient in the injection, including the excipient sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin sodium.

What should be monitored during treatment with Remdesivir?

Doctors typically monitor liver function tests and kidney function before and during treatment with Remdesivir, and watch closely for signs of an infusion-related or allergic reaction during and for at least an hour after each dose.

Disclaimer

The information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it does not replace professional medical advice. We cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy, and the absence of specific information about a drug should not be taken as an endorsement. We are not responsible for any consequences arising from this information, so please consult a healthcare professional for any concerns or questions.

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