Remdesevir and HCQ News
A publication in the New England Journal of Medicine reported on the use of Remdesevir in severely ill patients with COVID-19.
“In this cohort of patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 who were treated with compassionate-use remdesivir, clinical improvement was observed in 36 of 53 patients (68%).”
Still, 7/53 (13%) died despite remdesivir treatment.
These patients in this study look like they were sicker than the average hospitalized population but also 26% under the age of 50.
Just one placebo-controlled trial, please! Even a small subject number should work if the effect size is large.
Another study beginning soon in Detroit will enroll more than 3,000 hospital healthcare workers and first responders in an attempt to determine whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2.
Participants will be tested for antibodies to the virus and then receive vials of unidentified, specific pills to take for the next 8 weeks. The vials will include either a once-a-week dose of hydroxychloroquine, a once-a-day dose, or a placebo.
Researchers will contact participants weekly and in person at weeks 4 and 8 to determine if they are experiencing any medication side effects or symptoms of COVID-19, ie, dry cough, fever, or respiratory issues. Blood will again be drawn at week 8 and results among the 3 groups compared.
If HCQ is effective in preventing COVID-19 in this high risk group, its widespread use would likely follow. Such a finding would also support the use of HCQ in treating COVID-19.
We anticipate a flood of new data from this and similar studies over the coming months. For now, we have very little valid scientific evidence about what works and what does not. Many anecdotes, but in medicine, we really prefer randomized blinded trials.
For now, it feels to many of us like we are putting together our parachute on the way down!