COVID-19 Investigational Treatments in Use Among Hospitalized Patients Identified Through the US Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network, March 1-June 30, 2020

Abstract

Using a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated hospitalization surveillance network, we found that 42.5% of hospitalized COVID-19 cases with available data from March 1-June 30, 2020, received ≥1 COVID-19 investigational treatment. Hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and remdesivir were used frequently; however, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin use declined over time, while use of remdesivir increased.

Keywords: coronavirus; hospitalization; therapeutics.

Figure 1.

Percentage of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with reported use of investigational treatments by month—COVID-NET, March 1–June 30, 2020. Investigational treatments were assessed as non–mutually exclusive. Data for hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, and IL-6 inhibitors included when given as off-label or compassionate use or as part of randomized controlled trials where it could not be determined whether the patient received treatment or placebo. Data for azithromycin only included when given in combination with another COVID-19-related treatment. Data included for protease inhibitors were specific to COVID-19 treatment and did not include treatment specific to HIV; protease inhibitors included atazanavir, darunavir, and lopinavir/ritonavir. IL-6 inhibitors included sarilumab and tocilizumab. ^aSignificant difference of P < .0001 in treatment use from March to June. Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; IL-6, interleukin 6.