CINCINNATI — A new study from the University of Cincinnati is raising concerns about the safety of the FDA-approved COVID-19 treatment Remdesivir.
Dr. Bingfang Yan, a professor at UC and the associate dean for research and innovation, said Remdesivir has the potential of rendering other medications taken by a patient to be inactive.
Remdesivir stops the activity of an enzyme found in a person's intestine, liver and kidney. This enzyme is needed to break down many medications, including antiviral medications that are used to treat HIV, AIDS or hepatitis C. Remdesivir could also lead to increased toxicity with heart medications and anti-cancer drugs.
While medical professionals usually ask what medications people are on before prescribing new treatments to make sure they all work in unison, Yan said those conversations might not happen with COVID-19.
"Hospitals are overwhelmed, you know, they are not really thinking about these things," Yan said. "We can identify who should receive Remdesivir and who should not."
Yan said if you do contract COVID-19, and you are taking any other medications, be sure to make your doctor aware of what medications you are taking before you begin any treatment.
