Remdesivir: Effectiveness and Safety in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients—Analysis of Retrospectively Collected Data from Daily Practice in the Omicron Variant Era and Comparison with the Pre-Omicron Period
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted global health. Remdesivir was approved based on clinical trials demonstrating improved outcomes in hospitalized patients. The ReEs-COVID19 study provides real-world evidence on its effectiveness and safety across two periods: Pre-Omicron and Omicron. This retrospective, observational cohort study included 1610 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, treated with remdesivir during Pre-Omicron (September 2020-February 2021; n = 606) and Omicron (June 2022-March 2023; n = 1004) periods. Primary endpoint: time to discharge; Hepatic/renal function abnormalities were also investigated. In the Omicron period patients were older and had more comorbidities but remdesivir was initiated earlier (median: 2 days from symptom onset) compared to the Pre-Omicron period (8 days). ICU admissions rates and direct COVID-19-related deaths were significantly lower, but overall 30-day mortality was higher during the Omicron period. Earlier remdesivir administration was associated with faster discharge. Abnormal liver tests and acute kidney injury were rare across both periods. ReEs-COVID19 confirmed remdesivir's effectiveness and safety in real-world clinical settings during both periods, underscoring its importance in treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially when initiated earlier in the disease course. Further research is needed to evaluate its utility in specific subgroups (e.g., immuno-compromised) and in combination with other treatments.
Authors
- Periklis Panagopoulos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0643-1090)
- Garyphallia Poulakou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0778-0006)
- Evmorfia Pechlivanidou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0492-2550)
- Sotirios P. Karagiannis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2823-5675)
- Nikos Pantazis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4196-5066)
- Vasileios Petrakis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9065-4811)
- Eirini Christaki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8152-6367)
- Eleni Polyzou
- Ioannis Katsarolis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5710-1545)
- Theofani Rimpa
- Vasiliki Georgakopoulou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0772-811X)
- Haralampos J Milionis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3958-2266)
- Nikolaos V. Sipsas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-3453)
- Anastasia Antoniadou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0991-9198)
- Giota Touloumi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5951-0844)
- Οlga Tsachouridou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6503-0284)
- Dimitra Kavatha
- Karolina Akinosoglou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4289-9494)
- Diamantis P. Kofteridis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0255-5926)
- Vassiliki Rapti
- Markos Marangos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5030-2398)
- Pinelopi Kazakou
- Ioannis Kalomenidis
- Symeon Metallidis
Institutions
- University of Crete (GR)
- Democritus University of Thrace (GR)
- University of Patras (GR)
- University of Ioannina (GR)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
- AHEPA University Hospital (GR)
- General University Hospital of Patras (GR)
- Laiko General Hospital of Athens (GR)
- University Hospital of Heraklion (GR)
- University Hospital of Ioannina (GR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Microorganisms
- Published
- 2025-09-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13102242
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.40
Funders
- Gilead Sciences
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control