How does remdesivir work?
Remdesivir stops the COVID-19 growing and spreading. It works by preventing the virus from multiplying and keeping virus levels low in your body.
This helps your body's immune system control the infection and reduces the risk of severe symptoms.
How long does it take to work?
Remdesivir starts to work very quickly after you have it. It works best when you have it as soon as possible after a positive COVID-19 test and within 7 days of your symptoms starting.
Everyone has a different experience of COVID-19, especially if you have risk factors for getting severe disease.
Most people who take remdesivir will recover quickly after taking this medicine, with a reduced risk of severe illness.
Are there any long-term side effects?
It's not known if there are any long-term side effects from having remdesivir.
What will happen if I stop having it?
Do not stop having remdesivir before your 3 day course is finished without talking to your doctor first.
If you stop having remdesivir before the end of the course, it may no longer protect you from becoming severely ill from COVID-19.
How does remdesivir compare with other medicines to treat COVID-19?
Remdesivir is an antiviral medicine that treats early COVID-19 and is given through a drip, usually in your arm (infusion).
There are other antiviral medicines for early COVID-19:
- nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) comes as tablets
- molnupiravir (Lagevrio) comes as capsules, treats mild to moderate COVID-19 but it has not been tested in people with severe symptoms who need treatment with oxygen
If antiviral medicines are not suitable for you, sotrovimab may be offered instead. Sotrovimab is a biological medicine. It is also known as a neutralising monoclonal antibody (nMAb).
COVID-19 treatments do not replace vaccinations. Vaccines are given to help your immune system fight a future COVID-19 infection.
How effective is remdesivir?
If you have COVID-19, remdesivir reduces your risk of severe symptoms and needing hospital treatment.
It's important to have remdesivir within 7 days of the start of your COVID-19 symptoms to give it the best chance of working.
Will it affect my contraception?
If you have COVID-19, it's important that you do not have contact with other people. This is to avoid passing the infection on.
If you're taking the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and remdesivir makes you sick (vomit), your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.
Find out more:
Can I drive or ride a bike?
If you're being treated for COVID-19, stay at home to avoid passing the infection on to other people.
If you feel dizzy, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery.
It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.
GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.
Can I drink alcohol while having remdesivir?
It's not known if alcohol affects remdesivir. However, if remdesivir gives you headaches it's best not to drink alcohol.
Are there any foods and drinks to avoid?
You can eat and drink normally while you are having remdesivir.
It's important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated if you're unwell with COVID-19.