Prescription medication · Nucleotide Analog (Antiviral)
remdesivir
Also sold as Veklury. Remdesivir is used to treat COVID-19 in adults and children who weigh at least 3.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 13,113
- FDA reportsModerately reported
- 2
- InteractionsFew interactions
- Rx
- Availability
What the data shows
remdesivir (Veklury) is a prescription Nucleotide Analog (Antiviral), reported less often than most tracked drugs (13,113 FDA reports), with 2 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
remdesivir (Veklury) is a prescription Nucleotide Analog (Antiviral). Remdesivir is used to treat COVID-19 in adults and children who weigh at least 3.
Remdesivir (Veklury) is an antiviral medicine used to treat COVID-19. It helps stop the virus from multiplying in your body.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
What it does
Remdesivir is used to treat COVID-19 in adults and children who weigh at least 3.
Common side effects
Nausea, Increased ALT (a liver enzyme), Increased AST (a liver enzyme)
Key warnings
Remdesivir can cause serious side effects, including allergic reactions and liver problems.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from remdesivir's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Remdesivir is a type of medicine called a nucleotide analog RNA polymerase inhibitor. This means it blocks the virus from making copies of itself. By stopping the virus from multiplying, it can help you recover from COVID-19.
How to Take It
Remdesivir is given through a vein (IV) for 30 to 120 minutes. You will receive a 200 mg dose on the first day. After that, you will receive 100 mg once a day. The length of treatment depends on whether you are in the hospital or not. Your doctor will decide how long you need to receive remdesivir.
This is a plain-language summary of remdesivir's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking remdesivir. Studies have not shown an increased risk of birth defects or miscarriage when taken during the second or third trimester. It is not known if it is safe to take during the first trimester.
This is a plain-language summary of remdesivir's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of remdesivir, talk to your doctor or nurse right away to reschedule it. It is important to get all your doses on time.
This is a plain-language summary of remdesivir's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store unopened vials of remdesivir below 86°F (30°C).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 13,113 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for remdesivir, by number of reports
- Alanine Aminotransferase Increased
Alanine Aminotransferase Increased
933 reports
- Covid-19
Covid-19
896 reports
- Death
Death
751 reports
- Bradycardia
Bradycardia
651 reports
- Aspartate Aminotransferase Increased
Aspartate Aminotransferase Increased
627 reports
- Acute Kidney Injury
Acute Kidney Injury
622 reports
- Respiratory Failure
Respiratory Failure
526 reports
- Covid-19 Pneumonia
Covid-19 Pneumonia
480 reports
- Liver Function Test Increased
Liver Function Test Increased
420 reports
- Condition Aggravated
Condition Aggravated
378 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for remdesivir each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where remdesivir sits
remdesivir has more FDA adverse-event reports than 46% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is remdesivir; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 13,113 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2018–2025.
Total Reports
13,113
Reports Mentioning Death
3,250
24.8% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
4,426
Top Indication
Covid-19
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED | 933 |
| 3 | COVID-19 | 896 |
| 5 | DEATH | 751 |
| 6 | BRADYCARDIA | 651 |
| 7 | ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED | 627 |
| 8 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 622 |
| 9 | RESPIRATORY FAILURE | 526 |
| 10 | COVID-19 PNEUMONIA | 480 |
| 11 | LIVER FUNCTION TEST INCREASED | 420 |
| 12 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 378 |
| 13 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE FOR UNAPPROVED INDICATION | 328 |
| 14 | PNEUMONIA | 325 |
| 15 | BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED | 320 |
| 16 | CARDIAC ARREST | 286 |
| 17 | RENAL IMPAIRMENT | 279 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Remdesivir can cause serious side effects, including allergic reactions and liver problems. Allergic reactions can happen during or after the infusion. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs like low or high blood pressure, fast or slow heart rate, fever, trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling, rash, nausea, sweating, or shaking. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment. Tell your doctor if you have any signs of liver problems like yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on VEKLURY Due to potential antagonism based on data from cell culture experiments, concomitant use of VEKLURY with chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine sulfate is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Microbiology (12.4) ].
Mechanism: Hydroxychloroquine can interfere with how remdesivir works against the virus. This means the antiviral treatment might not be able to fight the infection effectively.
What to do: This combination is not recommended. Your healthcare provider should avoid giving you these two drugs at the same time.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on VEKLURY Due to potential antagonism based on data from cell culture experiments, concomitant use of VEKLURY with chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine sulfate is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Microbiology (12.4) ].
Mechanism: Chloroquine can block the antiviral effects of remdesivir, making it less powerful at treating the virus. This interaction was discovered in laboratory tests.
What to do: You should not use these medications together. Your doctor will choose the most effective single treatment for your condition.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What should I tell my doctor before taking remdesivir?
Can remdesivir be given at home?
How long will I need to take remdesivir?
What if I feel sick after getting remdesivir?
Can remdesivir interact with other medicines?
Will remdesivir cure my COVID-19?
What tests will I need before starting remdesivir?
Can I breastfeed while taking remdesivir?
What if I have kidney problems?
What does 'hypersensitivity' mean?
What are the common side effects of remdesivir?
Does remdesivir interact with other medications?
What drug class is remdesivir?
Is remdesivir safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Nucleotide Analog (Antiviral)
Other drugs grouped near remdesivir - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acyclovir
Zovirax
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine.
Compare with remdesivir →
albendazole
Albenza
Albendazole is a medicine that fights parasites.
Compare with remdesivir →
amphotericin B
Ambisome, Fungizone
Amphotericin B liposome is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with remdesivir →
anidulafungin
Eraxis
Eraxis is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with remdesivir →
atovaquone/proguanil
Malarone
Malarone is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
Compare with remdesivir →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Save on remdesivir
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for remdesivir
The FDA label for remdesivir (sold under brand names such as Veklury) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Nucleotide Analog (Antiviral) class. Remdesivir is used to treat COVID-19 in adults and children who weigh at least 3. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Increased ALT (a liver enzyme), Increased AST (a liver enzyme).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 13,113 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 13, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages