No antiviral effect of remdesivir, HCQ: WHO study
According to a new study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), neither remdesivir, nor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) help in the recovery of patients hospitalized due to Covid-19.
The study, led by researchers from Oslo University Hospital in Norway, found a lack of antiviral effect with remdesivir and HCQ regardless of patient age, symptom duration, degree of viral load and the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. remains constant.
For the study, the team randomly assigned 181 hospitalized patients in 23 hospitals in Norway to receive remdesivir, HCQ, or standard of care, to evaluate the effects of remdesivir and HCQ on all-cause, in-hospital mortality. assigned to; degree of respiratory failure and swelling; and viral clearance in the oropharynx.
Researchers found no significant difference between treatment groups in mortality during hospitalization. Remdesivir and HCQ did not affect the degree of respiratory failure or inflammation. The findings are published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Based on their findings, the researchers question the antiviral potential of remdesivir and HCQ.
In May last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved remdesivir for emergency use in severe cases of covid. Later, the agency extended the approval to curb hospitalization for adults and children over the age of 12.
However, in November, a WHO guideline committee recommended against the use of remdesivir in patients hospitalized with covid because it had “no significant effect on mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, clinical improvement”. time, and other patient-important outcomes”.
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