As time goes by, the protection options against the current pandemic expand. The greatest advance was achieved with the development of a vaccine that reduces the probability of serious illness. In addition, it has been identified that different drugs help in the recovery of infected patients. The list is still short but one of the ones that has shown the best results is Remdesivir. For the same reason, its use has now been expanded so that non-hospitalized Covid-19 patients can also receive it.
Via a newsletter The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made this announcement. In this way, more people will be able to access the antiviral to avoid complications that can lead to fatal cases.
For its part, the decision was made due to the good results that the drug has shown. Although at the moment Remdesivir in non-hospitalized Covid-19 patients is only recommended in the United States.
Similarly, the drastic increase in hospitalizations experienced by the nation due to the Omicron Variation also influenced. In some areas, hospitals are already reported at maximum capacity as a result of the spike in infections.
Who can receive it?
Although the US authority also specified that this indication is only intended for adult and pediatric patients (from 12 years of age with a minimum weight of 40 kilograms) with positive results of direct viral tests for SARS-CoV-2, and that they are not hospitalized. In addition, it must be a mild to moderate Covid-19 picture and have a high risk of progression to severe, including hospitalization or death.
This approval is supported by a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that included 562 non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients with this profile. The result concludes that two of 279 patients who received Remdesivir (0.7 percent) required hospitalization compared to 15 of 283 patients who received a placebo (5.3 percent). While in neither of the two groups deaths were reported.
Based on published information, pediatric patients can receive Remdesivir through an IV for a total of three days for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 illness.
While the FDA also stressed that this drug is not a substitute for vaccines. Therefore, the maximum indication is to receive the biological from any manufacturer as soon as possible.
Current situation in Mexico
On the other hand, it should be remembered that in Mexico Remdesivir already received the approval of the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris). At the moment its use is exclusive to hospitals but four fundamental requirements must be met:
- That the patient has received a confirmatory diagnosis of being a carrier of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- That the patient has had less than seven days with symptoms.
- That the patient has at least one of the main risk factors and comorbidity such as age, diabetes, hypertension, heart or respiratory failure.
- The patient is hospitalized for needing supplemental oxygen.