Reduced fixed dose tocilizumab 400 mg IV compared to weight-based dosing in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A before-after cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Interleukin-6 inhibitors reduce mortality in severe COVID-19. British Columbia began using tocilizumab 8 mg/kg (maximum 800 mg) in January 2021 in critically ill patients with COVID-19, but due to drug shortages, decreased dosing to 400 mg IV fixed dose in April 2021. The aims of this study were twofold: to compare physiological responses and clinical outcomes of these two strategies, and examine the cost-effectiveness of treating all patients with 400 mg versus half the patients with 8 mg/kg and the other half without tocilizumab.

Methods

This was a single-centre, before-after cohort study of critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with tocilizumab, and a control cohort treated with dexamethasone only. Physiological responses and clinical outcomes were compared

SUBMITTER: Stukas S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8941850 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature