Remdesivir safe for hospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe kidney dysfunction: JAMA

Results:

• Of 1281 patients, 59 had a baseline eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2; median age was 74
• There were imbalances between the groups, with more men and a lower median eGFR at baseline in the standard-care group.
• At baseline, few patients were undergoing hemodialysis; median eGFR was 18.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 across groups.

Thus, In patients with eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline who received remdesivir, there was no increased risk of transaminitis or toxic kidney effects at day 5. There was also no significant difference in the need for invasive mechanical ventilation or new dialysis, or mortality.

This study is limited by small numbers and baseline imbalance between groups. These findings suggest that remdesivir can be safely administered in patients with kidney dysfunction, balancing possible risks and benefits. The need for assessing kidney function in the absence of clinical suspicion before and during outpatient administration of remdesivir can be questioned.

Reference:

Cheng M, et al "Remdesivir in patients with severe kidney dysfunction: A secondary analysis of the CATCO randomized trial" JAMA Netw Open 2022; DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.29236.