Tocilizumab doesn't ease symptoms or prevent death in moderately ill COVID-19 inpatients

[Eddy Edson]

Tocilizumab doesn't ease symptoms or prevent death in moderately ill COVID-19 inpatients

The drug tocilizumab (Actemra) does not reduce the need for breathing assistance with mechanical ventilation or prevent death in moderately ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19, according to a new study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The study, published in the...

medicalxpress.com

Looked promising; doesn't work.

 

[Ditto]

Shame.

 

[mikeyB]

Well, as it is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and immunosuppressant, I suppose the theory was it might suppress an interleukin storm. There is no scientific reason as to why it might do that, but surprisingly it does nothing for Covid survival. Nobody on this side of the Atlantic would have thought to try it, but over in the US they will try anything apart from imposing rules about wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing.