Veklury (remdesivir) is a prescription drug used to treat COVID-19 infection. Veklury can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include nausea and allergic reaction.

Specifically, Veklury is used to treat COVID-19 infection in adults and certain children who weigh at least 1.5 kilograms (kg), which is about 3 pounds (lb). To receive Veklury, you must either be hospitalized or at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 from a mild to moderate infection.

Veklury contains the active ingredient remdesivir. The drug comes as a liquid solution or a powder mixed into a liquid solution. It’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time) by a healthcare professional.

Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects that Veklury can cause. And for a detailed overview of this drug, check out this in-depth Veklury article.

Some people, but not everyone, may experience mild to serious side effects during Veklury treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Veklury. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Veklury treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Veklury may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Veklury. These include:

  • seizure
  • infusion reaction (see “Side effects explained” for more information)
  • elevated levels of liver enzymes in the blood (see “Side effects explained” for more information)
  • kidney injury
  • slow heart rate
  • increased risk of bleeding (see “Side effects explained” for more information)

If you develop serious side effects during Veklury treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Veklury, visit MedWatch.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Veklury can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Veklury treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Veklury, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Veklury’s side effects.

What are the side effects of Veklury in the elderly?

Veklury side effects seen in older adults (ages 65 years and older) are similar to those seen in younger people. However, older adults are more likely to have health conditions such as reduced liver, kidney, or heart function, so their doctor will monitor them closely to be sure the drug isn’t causing adverse effects.

There typically isn’t a different Veklury dose prescribed for older adults. But your doctor will consider other medical conditions you have and other drugs you take when prescribing and monitoring your treatment. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and report any unusual symptoms if they occur.

How long do side effects of Veklury last?

How long potential Veklury side effects may last depends on your health and how severe your reaction is. Most of the drug’s side effects, such as nausea and injection site discoloration and swelling, are mild and temporary. These may resolve soon after you complete treatment.

Other side effects, such as elevated liver enzymes, may last longer and require ongoing monitoring by your doctor. Serious side effects like an allergic reaction may need extended monitoring and treatment. If you have side effects that worsen or are long lasting, contact your doctor right away.

Are there long-term Veklury side effects that continue after treatment ends?

There were no long-term side effects reported in Veklury studies. This drug is generally used for short treatment periods of 3 to 10 days. The most commonly reported side effects, such as nausea and increased liver enzymes, usually resolve once treatment is completed​.

Very rare reports of seizure and kidney injury were noted during Veklury studies, but there’s no mention of long-term effects from these events.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects from this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Veklury may cause.

Elevated liver enzymes

Increased levels of liver enzymes in the blood were an uncommon side effect reported in Veklury studies.

Elevated liver enzymes can be a sign of liver damage and may cause symptoms such as:

Factors that can raise the risk of increased liver enzymes when taking this drug include:

  • current liver disease or past liver inflammation
  • interactions with other medications
  • drinking alcohol

What might help

Your doctor will order liver function tests throughout your Veklury treatment. This will help them monitor and manage any liver enzyme increases you may have. Contact them right away about any symptoms that occur during your treatment.

Increased risk of bleeding

An increased risk of bleeding was an uncommon side effect reported in studies of Veklury. The risk of bleeding may cause symptoms such as:

Factors that can increase the risk of bleeding when taking this drug include:

  • active liver disease
  • taking blood thinning medications
  • being age 65 years or older

What might help

To reduce your risk of bleeding during Veklury treatment, avoid taking over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. If you need pain relief, acetaminophen is a safer choice.

If you have bleeding during Veklury treatment, contact your doctor right away. They may monitor your blood clotting levels and adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Infusion reactions

Infusion reactions were an uncommon side effect reported in studies of Veklury.

Infusion reactions may cause symptoms such as:

What might help

Because Veklury can cause an infusion reaction, you’ll receive it in a supervised medical setting. If you develop an infusion reaction, your doctor may slow the infusion rate or closely monitor you for at least an hour after the infusion is complete.

Tell your doctor if you’ve had an infusion reaction to any medication in the past. And do not receive Veklury infusions if you’ve had a reaction to this drug before.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Veklury treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were receiving when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Veklury affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Veklury can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Veklury treatment. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.