Surveillance of adverse drug events associated with tocilizumab in hospitalized veterans with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to inform patient safety and pandemic preparedness

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022 Oct;43(10):1488-1491. doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.227. Epub 2021 May 14.

Abstract

We evaluated adverse drug events (ADEs) by chart review in a random national sample of 428 veterans with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who received tocilizumab (n = 173 of 428). ADEs (median time, 5 days) occurred in 51 of 173 (29%) and included hepatoxicity (n = 29) and infection (n = 13). Concomitant medication discontinuation occurred in 22% of ADE patients; mortality was 39%.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Safety
  • Veterans*

Substances

  • tocilizumab