COVID-19 rapid evidence summary: Tocilizumab for COVID-19
This summary reviews evidence from the REMAP‑CAP study (critically ill adults with severe COVID‑19 receiving respiratory or cardiovascular organ support) and from 4 published RCTs (adults hospitalised with moderate to severe or severe COVID‑19, not receiving ventilation).
Source:
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
SPS commentary:
The summary notes it is possible that any benefit from tocilizumab is seen only in the most severely ill patients given tocilizumab soon after organ support is started, when any developing organ dysfunction may be more reversible.
There is an interim position statement from NHS England on interleukin-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab or sarilumab) for patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia (adults). A clinical commissioning policy is intended to replace this interim position statement.