COVID-19 Therapeutics

September 4, 2020

The literature on COVID-19 therapeutics is changing quickly. Thus far, significant research has emerged on three different medications: dexamethasone, remdesivir, and hydroxychloroquine. Test your knowledge with the following quiz.

Review “COVID-19 Therapeutics: What Works, and What Doesn’t?” in ACEP Now before you answer the question.

Which of the following is FALSE, regarding therapeutics and COVID-19?

It is reasonable to start all COVID-19 patients on dexamethasone at first presentation in the emergency department.

The randomized, controlled, prospective trial RECOVERY showed that 6 mg IV or oral dexamethasone given once daily for 10 days reduced death rates in patients who needed oxygen or intubation (compared to standard care alone).

In the prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial ACTT-1, the use of remdesivir in hospitalized COVID-19 patients reduced recovery time from 15 to 11 days. However, the drug did not seem to decrease time to recovery in patients already receiving high-flow oxygen, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

None of the randomized controlled trials of hydroxychloroquine have demonstrated its efficacy in preventing or treating COVID-19.

None