Combination Therapy With Remdesivir, Dexamethasone, and Tocilizumab in Patients With Severe Corona Virus Disease 2019 in Clinical Practice

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of several promising drugs for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged. However, considering the pathophysiology of COVID-19, the effect of a single agent is limited. Hence, the current study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between patients who received combination treatment with remdesivir, dexamethasone, and tocilizumab (RDT) and those who did not.MethodsPatients who received combination therapy with RDT at Japanese Red Cross Medical Center were included in the RDT group, and those who did not in the control group. The mortality rate and presence of severe adverse events were compared between the two groups.ResultsIn total, 46 patients (n = 29, control group and n = 17, RDT group) with severe COVID-19 were enrolled in this study. The 28-day mortality rate was significantly lower in the RDT group than in the control group, with 1 (6%) and 9 (31%) deaths recorded, respectively (P = 0.04). Further, both groups did not present with severe adverse events.ConclusionsInformation on the outcomes of combination therapy with RDT was considered useful for the treatment of severe COVID-19.

The effectiveness of dexamethasone as a combination therapy for COVID-19

“…Izumo et al (51) compared the effectiveness of the combination therapy of severe COVID-19 with remdesivir, dexamethasone, and tocilizumab (RDT) with respect to the mortality rate and adverse side effects. A plethora of drug combinations has been used to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 (52,53).…”