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27-01-2021 | COVID-19 | News

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Tocilizumab, sarilumab authorized for UK patients with critical COVID-19

Author: Claire Barnard

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medwireNews: The interleukin (IL)-6 receptor inhibitors tocilizumab and sarilumab have been authorized for the off-label treatment of COVID-19 in patients admitted to intensive care units in the UK.

This announcement is based on findings from the REMAP-CAP trial, showing that treatment with tocilizumab or sarilumab significantly reduces mortality risk in critically ill patients with COVID-19 when given within 24 hours of commencing organ support. The study results are currently published as a preprint that has not undergone peer review.

As outlined in a position statement, the recommended dose of tocilizumab for COVID-19 is 8 mg/kg administered intravenously, with a total maximum dose of 800 mg, and the recommended sarilumab dose is 400 mg given as a once-only infusion. The IL-6 receptor inhibitors are recommended for use in addition to corticosteroids such as dexamethasone or hydrocortisone.

Intravenous tocilizumab is currently approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and cytokine release syndrome in the UK, while sarilumab is indicated for subcutaneous use in rheumatoid arthritis.

medwireNews is an independent medical news service provided by Springer Healthcare Ltd. © 2021 Springer Healthcare Ltd, part of the Springer Nature Group

27 January 2021: The coronavirus pandemic is affecting all healthcare professionals across the globe. Medicine Matters’ focus, in this difficult time, is the dissemination of the latest data to support you in your research and clinical practice, based on the scientific literature. We will update the information we provide on the site, as the data are published. However, please refer to your own professional and governmental guidelines for the latest guidance in your own country.

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