Like all medicines, remdesivir can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
These common side effects of remdesivir happen in up to 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Headache
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's best not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Speak to your doctor if this does not help or your headaches are severe.
Feeling sick or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your medicine after you have eaten.
If you're being sick, try small, frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or call 111 now if you feel that your heart is beating slower than normal. This may make you feel dizzy, short of breath or very tired.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if you:
- feel confused
- have chest pain
- faint or pass out
- have difficulty breathing
Blood tests
You may be asked to take blood tests before being treated with remdesivir and while you're having the treatment. This is to check if you have early signs of side effects.
Your blood tests will check:
- how quickly your blood clots – if your test shows your blood is taking longer to clot than usual your doctor will talk to you about whether remdesivir is suitable for you
- how well your liver is working – if your test shows early signs of harm to your liver your doctor will talk to you about whether remdesivir is suitable for you
- how well your kidneys are working – if your test shows early signs of harm to your kidneys your doctor will talk to you about whether remdesivir is suitable for you
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to remdesivir.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of remdesivir. Ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
Check the remdesivir (Veklury) patient information leaflet to find out more.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.