Arthritis drug reduces COVID-19 deaths in study

Sailors assigned to the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) treat the first patient from Los Angeles medical facilities March 29

(Image credit: U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

published 12 February 2021

The arthritis drug tocilizumab has been shown to reduce deaths among patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 in a new study.

In the trial, 2,022 hospitalized COVID-19 patients received tocilizumab, while 2,094 patients received usual care; in the former group, 29 percent of patients died within 28 days, while 33 percent of patients died within 28 days in the latter group, BBC News reports. Eighty-two percent of patients were taking a systemic steroid like dexamethasone in the trial.

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Additionally, tocilizumab was shown to shorten the amount of time until patients are discharged from the hospital, as well as reduce the need for them to go on a mechanical ventilator, researchers said. The trial's joint chief investigator, Martin Landray, said that the results "clearly show the benefits of tocilizumab and dexamethasone in tackling the worst consequences of COVID-19 — improving survival, shortening hospital stay, and reducing the need for mechanical ventilators." Landray added that "used in combination, the impact is substantial."

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.

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