Remdesivir: A Review in COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in China in 2019 and quickly spread around the world. The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person, with some people having no symptoms and others becoming very unwell. Most patients with COVID-19 can treat their symptoms at home, but some patients may be admitted to hospital and/or treated with specialized medications such as remdesivir (Veklury^®). Remdesivir is an antiviral medicine that can reduce the amount of virus that causes COVID-19. It is given once a day, usually for 5­10 days, as an intravenous infusion. Remdesivir has been shown to improve the recovery time in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, including children and adolescents. It may also reduce the risk of death in hospitalized patients who are not being ventilated before they start treatment. A 3-day course of remdesivir is also effective in patients whose age or underlying health puts them at high risk for becoming severely ill. The drug is generally well tolerated. Therefore, remdesivir is a useful treatment option for patients with COVID-19, especially those who require additional oxygen.