Remdesivir

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Veklury

Brand Names: Veklury
Dosage Form: POWDER
Product Type: BULK INGREDIENT

Description

11 DESCRIPTION VEKLURY contains remdesivir, a SARS-CoV-2 nucleotide analog RNA polymerase inhibitor. The chemical name for remdesivir is 2-ethylbutyl N -{( S )-[2- C -(4-aminopyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-7-yl)-2,5-anhydro-d-altrononitril-6- O -yl]phenoxyphosphoryl}-L-alaninate. It has a molecular formula of C 27 H 35 N 6 O 8 P and a molecular weight of 602.6 g/mol. Remdesivir has the following structural formula: VEKLURY for injection contains 100 mg of remdesivir as a sterile, preservative-free lyophilized white to off-white to yellow powder in a single-dose clear glass vial. It requires reconstitution and then further dilution prior to administration by intravenous infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . The inactive ingredients are 3 g betadex sulfobutyl ether sodium and may include hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. Chemical Structure

What Is Remdesivir Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VEKLURY is indicated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years of age weighing at least 1.5 kg) who are [see Clinical Studies (14) ] : Hospitalized, or Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19, and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. VEKLURY is a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleotide analog RNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years of age weighing at least 1.5 kg) who are: Hospitalized, or Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19, and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Testing: In all patients, before starting VEKLURY and during treatment as clinically appropriate, perform hepatic laboratory testing. Assess prothrombin time before starting VEKLURY and monitor as clinically appropriate. ( 2.2 ) Recommended dosage: Adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg: a single loading dose of VEKLURY 200 mg on Day 1 followed by once-daily maintenance doses of VEKLURY 100 mg from Day 2 via intravenous infusion. ( 2.3 ) Pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years of age) weighing 1.5 kg to less than 40 kg: Recommended dosage is based on weight. Refer to Table 1 of the full prescribing information for specific dosing guidelines based on body weight. ( 2.3 ) Hospitalized patients: The treatment course of VEKLURY should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of symptomatic COVID-19 has been made. ( 2.3 ) For hospitalized patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and/or ECMO, the recommended total treatment duration is 10 days. ( 2.3 ) For hospitalized patients not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and/or ECMO, the recommended treatment duration is 5 days. If a patient does not demonstrate clinical improvement, treatment may be extended for up to 5 additional days for a total treatment duration of up to 10 days. ( 2.3 ) Non-hospitalized patients: The treatment course of VEKLURY should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of symptomatic COVID-19 has been made and within 7 days of symptom onset. ( 2.3 ) For non-hospitalized patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, the recommended total treatment duration is 3 days ( 2.3 ). Renal impairment: No dosage adjustment of VEKLURY is recommended in patients with any degree of renal impairment, including those on dialysis. ( 2.4 ) Administer VEKLURY via intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 to 120 minutes. ( 2.5 ) Dose preparation and administration: Refer to the full prescribing information for further details. ( 2.5 ) Storage of prepared dosages: VEKLURY contains no preservative. ( 2.6 ) 2.1 Dosage and Administration Overview VEKLURY may only be administered in settings in which healthcare providers have immediate access to medications to treat a severe infusion or hypersensitivity reaction, such as anaphylaxis, and the ability to activate the emergency medical system (EMS), as necessary [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Administer VEKLURY for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years of age weighing at least 1.5 kg) by intravenous infusion only. Do not administer by any other route. VEKLURY for injection must be reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection prior to diluting with 0.9% sodium chloride injection. 2.2 Testing Before Starting and During Treatment with VEKLURY Perform hepatic laboratory testing in all patients...

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: Hypersensitivity Including Infusion-related and Anaphylactic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Increased Risk of Transaminase Elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 5%, all grades) observed with treatment with VEKLURY are nausea, ALT increased, and AST increased. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gilead Sciences, Inc. at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Clinical Trials in Adult Subjects The safety of VEKLURY is based on data from four Phase 3 studies in 1,476 hospitalized adult subjects with COVID-19, one Phase 3 study in 279 non-hospitalized adult and pediatric subjects (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, four Phase 1 studies in 131 healthy adults, and from patients with COVID-19 who received VEKLURY under the Emergency Use Authorization or in a compassionate use program. Clinical Trials Experience in Adults with COVID-19 NIAID ACTT-1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in hospitalized subjects with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 treated with VEKLURY (n=532) or placebo (n=516) for up to 10 days. Subjects treated with VEKLURY received 200 mg on Day 1 and 100 mg once daily on subsequent days [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . The collection of adverse event data in this trial was limited to severe (Grade 3) or potentially life-threatening (Grade 4) adverse events, serious adverse events, adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation, and moderate (Grade 2) severity or higher hypersensitivity reactions. Rates of adverse reactions (≥ Grade 3), serious adverse reactions, and adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation are presented in Table 4. Table 4 Summary of Adverse Reaction Rates in Hospitalized Subjects with Mild, Moderate, or Severe COVID-19 in NIAID ACTT-1 Types of Adverse Reactions VEKLURY N=532 n (%) Placebo N=516 n (%) Adverse reactions, Grades ≥3 41 (8%) 46 (9%) Serious adverse reactions 2 (0.4%) Seizure (n=1), infusion-related reaction (n=1). 3 (0.6%) Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation 11 (2%) Seizure (n=1), infusion-related reaction (n=1), transaminases increased (n=3), ALT increased and AST increased (n=1), GFR decreased (n=2), acute kidney injury (n=3). 15 (3%) Study GS-US-540-5773 was a randomized, open-label clinical trial in hospitalized subjects with severe COVID-19 treated with VEKLURY 200 mg on Day 1 and 100 mg once daily for 5 (n=200) or 10 days (n=197). Adverse reactions were reported in 33 (17%) subjects in the 5-day group and 40 (20%) subjects in the 10-day group [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . The most common adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of subjects in either the VEKLURY 5-day or 10-day group, respectively, were nausea (5% vs 3%), AST increased (3% vs 6%), and ALT increased (2% vs 7%). Rates of any adverse reactions, serious adverse reactions, and adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation are presented in Table 5. Table 5 Summary of Adverse Reaction Rates in Hospitalized Subjects with Severe COVID-19 in Study 5773 Types of Adverse Reactions VEKLURY 5 Days N=200 n (%) VEKLURY 10 Days N=197 n (%) Any adverse reaction, all Grades 33 (17%) 40 (20%) Serious adverse reactions 3 (2%) Transaminases increased (n=5), hepatic enzyme increased (n=1), hypertransaminasaemia (n=1). 4 (2%) Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation 5 (3%) Transaminases increased (n=4), hepatic enzyme increased (n=2), LFT increased (n=2),...

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on VEKLURY Due to potential antagonism based on data from cell culture experiments, concomitant use of VEKLURY with chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine sulfate is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Microbiology (12.4) ]. Based on drug interaction studies conducted with VEKLURY, no clinically significant drug interactions are expected with inducers of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 or inhibitors of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides (OATP) 1B1/1B3 and, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.2 Effects of VEKLURY on Other Drugs Based on drug interaction studies conducted with VEKLURY, it is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A and does not inhibit OATP1B1/1B3 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VEKLURY is contraindicated in patients with a history of clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions to VEKLURY or any components of the product [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. VEKLURY is contraindicated in patients with a history of clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions to VEKLURY or any components of the product. ( 4 )

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from a clinical trial (IMPAACT 2032), published reports, the COVID-PR pregnancy exposure registry, and compassionate use of remdesivir in pregnant individuals have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes following exposure in the second and third trimester. However, there are insufficient pregnancy data available to evaluate the risk of remdesivir exposure during the first trimester. A study evaluating the pharmacokinetics of remdesivir during pregnancy demonstrated no clinically relevant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. No dose adjustments are recommended in patients who receive VEKLURY during pregnancy (see Data ) and [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . In nonclinical reproductive toxicity studies, remdesivir demonstrated no adverse effect on embryo-fetal development when administered to pregnant animals at systemic exposures (AUC) of the predominant circulating metabolite of remdesivir (GS-441524) that were 4 times (rats and rabbits) the exposure in humans at the recommended human dose (RHD) (see Data ). There are maternal and fetal risks associated with untreated COVID-19 in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo-fetal risk COVID-19 in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, venous thromboembolic disease, and fetal death. Data Human Data A non-randomized, open-label clinical study...

Overdosage

10 OVERDOSAGE There is no human experience of acute overdosage with VEKLURY. Treatment of overdose with VEKLURY should consist of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. There is no specific antidote for overdose with VEKLURY.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied VEKLURY for injection, 100 mg (NDC 61958-2901-2) is supplied as a single-dose vial containing a sterile, preservative-free white to off-white to yellow lyophilized powder. It requires reconstitution and further dilution prior to administration by intravenous infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . Discard unused portion. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex. Storage and Handling These products contain no preservative; therefore, partially used vials should be discarded [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ] . Store VEKLURY for injection, 100 mg vials below 30°C (below 86°F) until required for use. After reconstitution, use vials immediately to prepare diluted solution. Dilute the reconstituted solution in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, USP within the same day as administration. The diluted VEKLURY solution in the infusion bags can be stored up to 24 hours at room temperature (20°C to 25°C [68°F to 77°F]) prior to administration or 48 hours at refrigerated temperature (2°C to 8°C [36°F to 46°F]).

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.