COVID-19Common question

The FDA has approved the antiviral drug remdesivir (Veklury) to treat COVID-19 in hospitalized adults and children who are age 12 and older in the hospital. The FDA has granted an emergency use authorization for the rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib (Olumiant) to treat COVID-19 in some cases.

What antiviral medication is approved to treat COVID-19?

Remdesivir (Veklury) is currently the only medication approved by the FDA to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The approval was based on findings that hospitalized patients who got remdesivir (Veklury) recovered faster.

For which COVID-19 patients has been approved Remdesivir?

On October 22, 2020, the FDA approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for use in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.

Are there any FDA-approved drugs for COVID-19?

Yes, the FDA has approved Veklury (remdesivir) for certain COVID-19 patients.

How does Remdesivir injection work to treat COVID-19?

Remdesivir is in a class of medications called antivirals. It works by stopping the virus from spreading in the body.

Merck COVID Pill - Side Effects You NEED to KNOW About!

Is Remdesivir used in treating COVID-19?

Conclusions: Remdesivir can help improve the clinical outcome of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and a 5 day regimen, instead of a 10 day regimen, may be sufficient for treatment. Moreover, remdesivir appears as tolerable as other comparators or placebo.

What are the side effects of Remdesivir?

Remdesivir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
• nausea
• constipation
• pain, bleeding, bruising of the skin, soreness, or swelling near the place where the medication was injected

What are some of the treatments available for COVID-19?

On October 22, 2020, the FDA approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for use in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.

Is Remdesivir FDA-approved to treat COVID-19?

Remdesivir is an FDA-approved (and sold under the brand name Veklury) intravenous antiviral drug for use in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.

What treatments are available for COVID-19?

On October 22, 2020, the FDA approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for use in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.

Is Remdesivir approved in Europe for treatment of COVID-19?

Since July 2020, remdesivir has been conditionally approved in Europe for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with pneumonia who require supplemental oxygen but no invasive ventilation.

Is remdesivir approved for use in adults and children at least 12 years old to treat COVID-19?

Remdesivir is used to treat people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who are in a hospital.
Remdesivir is approved for use in adults and children at least 12 years old who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

What is the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for remdesivir?

The emergency use authorization allows for remdesivir to be distributed in the U.S. and administered intravenously by health care providers, as appropriate, to treat suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalized with severe disease.

What is Banlanivimab, one of the antibody drug that is approved to treat COVID-19?

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful antigens such as viruses. Bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody that is specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells.

What is Remdesivir?

Remdesivir is in a class of medications called antivirals. It works by stopping the virus from spreading in the body.

Do any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by FDA contain a live form of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19 disease)?

None of the currently authorized vaccines contain the live SARS-CoV-2 virus, and you can’t get COVID-19 from the vaccines.

Is AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine approved by the FDA?

The AstraZeneca vaccine is not authorized for use in the U.S., but FDA understands that these AstraZeneca lots, or vaccine made from the lots, will now be exported for use.

What are some of the common symptoms of the COVID-19 disease?

Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle and body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

How can I treat symptoms of COVID-19 at home?

Your healthcare provider might recommend the following to relieve symptoms and support your body’s natural defenses:

• Taking medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever
• Drinking water or receiving intravenous fluids to stay hydrated
• Getting plenty of rest to help the body fight the virus

What over-the-counter treatments can be effective in easing symptoms of COVID-19?

Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or NSAIDs may help alleviate fever and body aches related to COVID-19. Over-the-counter nasal decongestants and throat lozenges may help with symptoms of nasal congestion and sore throat. Before taking any over-the-counter medications, we recommend consulting with a health care provider.

Can COVID-19 have lasting effects?

Some people who had severe illness with COVID-19 experience multiorgan effects or autoimmune conditions over a longer time with symptoms lasting weeks or months after COVID-19 illness. Multiorgan effects can affect most, if not all, body systems, including heart, lung, kidney, skin, and brain functions.

What are some of the serious side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Rare serious adverse events have been reported after COVID-19 vaccination, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after Janssen COVID-19 vaccination and myocarditis after mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) COVID-19 vaccination.

Is it normal to have side effects after second COVID-19 vaccine?

Side effects after your second shot may be more intense than the ones you experienced after your first shot. These side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days.

When did the FDA issue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 vaccines?

On December 11, 2020, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. On December 18, 2020, the FDA issued an EUA for the use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. And on February 27, 2021 the FDA issued an EUA for the use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. The issuance of an EUA is different than an FDA approval (licensure) of a vaccine.

When the FDA issues an EUA for a COVID-19 test for use at the point of care, does that mean it is CLIA waived?

Yes. The settings in which an EUA-authorized test may be used are described in the Letter of Authorization. As discussed in the Guidance for Industry and Other Stakeholders: Emergency Use Authorization of Medical Products and Related Authorities, when the FDA issues an EUA for tests for use at the point of care (including SARS-CoV-2 point of care test systems), such tests are deemed to be CLIA waived tests.