FakhriRavari, A.; Malakouti, M. Remdesivir and the Liver: A Concise Narrative Review of Remdesivir-Associated Hepatotoxicity in Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19. Pharmacoepidemiology2024, 3, 69-81.
FakhriRavari, A.; Malakouti, M. Remdesivir and the Liver: A Concise Narrative Review of Remdesivir-Associated Hepatotoxicity in Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19. Pharmacoepidemiology 2024, 3, 69-81.
FakhriRavari, A.; Malakouti, M. Remdesivir and the Liver: A Concise Narrative Review of Remdesivir-Associated Hepatotoxicity in Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19. Pharmacoepidemiology2024, 3, 69-81.
FakhriRavari, A.; Malakouti, M. Remdesivir and the Liver: A Concise Narrative Review of Remdesivir-Associated Hepatotoxicity in Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19. Pharmacoepidemiology 2024, 3, 69-81.
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infects many people, but many infected individuals do not develop symptoms. COVID-19 is an inflammatory disease that affects a portion of individuals infected with the virus, and it is associated with liver injury and other complications leading to hospitalization, critical illness, and death. Remdesivir is an antiviral agent used for treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 to improve time to recovery, reduce duration of mechanical ventilation, decrease the need for supplemental oxygen, and decrease the risk of mortality. Remdesivir-associated hepatotoxicity has been observed as increased transaminases more than 5 times the upper limit of normal in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 but causality has not been proven. It is generally difficult to distinguish between remdesivir-associated hepatotoxicity and COVID-19-induced hepatotoxicity. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the evidence for remdesivir-associated hepatotoxicity. Current evidence suggests that elevated liver enzymes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients are more likely to be due to the infection than remdesivir and that a 5-day course of remdesivir seems to be safe in regards to hepatotoxicity.
Medicine and Pharmacology, Medicine and Pharmacology
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