Can remdesivir cause kidney failure How so and alternatives Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Can remdesivir cause kidney failure Medically reviewed by Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPH — By Jenna Fletcher on August 29, 2022Remdesivir (Veklury) is an antiviral medication that treats several viral infections, including COVID-19. However, the research is inconclusive about its effect on kidney health. Some experts believe that remdesivir is generally safe and effective, while others recommend against using it to treat COVID-19 due to the risk of kidney injury. Other medications may be effective and pose a lower risk of kidney damage. This article reviews current research into remdesivir and its potential to cause kidney damage. What is remdesivir and what is it for Share on PinterestPallava Bagla/Corbis via Getty ImagesRemdesivir is an antiviral medication that targets the RNA in viruses to prevent replication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of intravenous remdesivir to treat people with severe COVID-19. It is suitable for adults and children who are 28 days or older and weigh at least 6.6 pounds, or 3 kilograms. In the hospital, a person takes remdesivir intravenously through a vein, in a procedure that takes 30–120 minutes. They receive the medication once per day for around 5–10 days. Remdesivir underwent several studies and showed general effectiveness in treating COVID-19. A 2020 study of over 1,000 people hospitalized with the disease found that it safely and effectively shortened the time to recovery in adults. Can it cause kidney failure Remdesivir may cause kidney failure in people with reduced kidney function. Therefore, health experts recommend testing a person’s kidney function before they start the medication. Doctors do not recommend it for individuals with kidney failure. This precaution is due in part to how remdesivir works. Both the powdered and liquid versions of the medication contain what health experts consider safe levels of a substance known as sulfobutylether beta-cyclodextrin sodium (SBECD). Typical kidneys can remove SBECD from the body. However, people with kidney impairment or failure may experience liver or kidney toxicity due to the release of this substance. Additionally, research suggests a link between remdesivir and kidney failure that may lead to severe lung issues. Learn more about kidney failure here. What does the research say In a 2020 study, researchers found that remdesivir had little or no effect on the risk of kidney damage. Other experts added that the powdered form may be safe for people with kidney issues. Another 2021 study noted that doctors have successfully and safely treated several other viral infections with remdesivir. They did not mention the potential for kidney damage or failure linked to infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the infection that causes COVID-19. However, several other studies point to remdesivir having potentially adverse effects on kidney health. Researchers in a 2021 study searched the international adverse effects database of the World Health Organization (WHO) for cases of acute renal failure (ARF) in people receiving treatment with remdesivir. They also searched for cases of ARF in people taking other drugs for COVID-19. They found a significantly higher number of cases of ARF in those who received remdesivir. Another 2021 study found similar results. They noted that, compared with other antiviral medications to treat COVID-19, remdesivir was more likely to cause kidney issues, most notably acute kidney injury. A 2022 study noted that acute kidney injury is a potential complication of COVID-19 that could be due to the use of remdesivir. The authors highlighted the significant association between remdesivir and acute kidney injury and urged the need for more studies into its safety. With so much conflicting research, doctors do not yet know the likelihood that a person taking remdesivir will experience kidney damage. Find more COVID-19 information here. Can people with kidney issues take remdesivir People with kidney issues should avoid using remdesivir. Though some experts suggest this medication may be safe, several others do not recommend its routine use. A person with reduced kidney function should discuss this with a doctor. Healthcare professionals can devise a treatment plan that considers the potential for damage to the kidneys. Are there safer alternatives Other antiviral medications may help treat COVID-19 and be safer for the kidneys. These medications include:lopinavir/ritonavirtocilizumab (Actemra)chloroquinedexamethasone (DexPax)sarilumab (Kevzara) A person should discuss the potential side effects of any drug with a doctor before taking them. Other side effects of remdesivir Remdesivir may cause several side effects. In studies, the most common side effects have included: breathing difficulties organ dysfunctionlow potassiuma low red blood cell countlow albumin, a protein that the liver producesa low platelet countskin discoloration A person may also experience pain, bleeding, or bruising at the injection site. Individuals should speak with a doctor or nurse immediately if they experience the following symptoms during or after their remdesivir infusion:nauseavomitingshivering or chillsdizziness upon standing uprashwheezing or difficulty breathingunusually fast or slow heartbeatswelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyesyellow eyes or skindark urinepain or discomfort in the right upper stomach areachest painheadacheflushing Doctors may stop or adjust a person’s treatment if they experience any of these side effects. Summary Remdesivir received attention in recent years due to its use in treating COVID-19. Several studies suggested this medication may increase the risk of kidney injury, while a few highlight its overall safety and effectiveness in treating viral infections, including the infection that leads to COVID-19. People with existing kidney damage should not take remdesivir and should discuss any concerns with a doctor. Other medications may be effective for treating infections and carry a reduced risk of adverse effects on the kidneys. Last medically reviewed on August 29, 2022DrugsCOVID-19Kidney disease 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Beigel, J. H., et al. (2020). Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 - final report.https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2007764Chouchana, L., et al. (2021). Kidney disorders as serious adverse drug reactions of remdesivir in coronavirus disease 2019: A retrospective case–noncase study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7907730/Gérard, A. O., et al. (2021). Remdesivir and acute renal failure: A potential safety signal from disproportionality analysis of the who safety database [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33340409/Gevers, S., et al. (2021). Remdesivir in COVID-19 patients with impaired renal function.https://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/32/2/518Izcovich, A., et al. (2020). Adverse effects of remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir when used for COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/3/e048502Remdesivir. (2022).https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antiviral-therapy/remdesivir/Remdesivir injection. (2022).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a620033.htmlWu, B., et al. (2022). Acute kidney injury associated with remdesivir: A comprehensive pharmacovigilance analysis of COVID-19 reports in FAERS.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.692828/fullZadeh, N. M., et al. (2021). Mechanism and adverse effects of COVID-19 drugs: A basic review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8446775/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPH — By Jenna Fletcher on August 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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