Clinical Trial of Remdesivir for Fighting COVID-19 Has Shown Promising Results at Houston Methodist Hospital
Early results of a clinical trial of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug, to fight COVID-19 at Houston Methodist Hospital have shown promise, according to an update published last week.
The trial is testing the use of Remdesivir on COVID-19 patients in the early stages of the infection. The drug is thought to suppress the replication of the virus in the body, which is how COVID-19 progresses from a mild infection to a serious respiratory illness.
According to a press release about the trial, a number of patients treated with Remdesivir are showing signs of recovery, and some have been able to return home from the hospital.
"Early results are promising, and that is important right now. Much of what we are learning about COVID-19 management is centered around preventing quick deterioration. Timing is everything. I can't say for certain they would have been intubated otherwise, but it's encouraging," said infectious diseases pharmacist Katherine K. Perez in the press release.