Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir/ ledipasvir in treatment of patients with COVID-19; A randomized clinical trial

Acta Biomed. 2020 Nov 10;91(4):e2020102. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i4.10877.

Abstract

Background: There is no study regarding the use of SOF/LDP in treatment of COVID-19. Objectives: In this study, the efficacy and safety of SOF/LDP were assessed in treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Methods: Among an open-label randomized clinical trial, 82 patients with mild to moderated COVID-19 were assigned to receive either SOF/LDP 400/100 mg daily plus the standard of care (SOF/LDP group, n=42) or the standard of care alone (control group, n=40) for 10 days. Time to clinical response, rate of clinical response, duration of hospital and ICU stay and 14-day mortality were assessed.

Results: Clinical response occurred in 91.46% of patients. Although rates of clinical response were comparable between the groups but it occurred faster in the SOF/LDP group than the control group (2 vs. 4 days respectively, P= 0.02). Supportive cares were provided in the medical wards for most patients but 17.07% of patients were transferred to ICU during the hospitalization course. However, durations of hospital and ICU stay were comparable between the groups. 14--day mortality rate was 7.14% and 7.5% in the SOF/ LDP and control groups respectively. No adverse effects leading to drug discontinuation occurred. Gastrointestinal events (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) were the most common side effects (15.85%).

Conclusion: Added to the standard of care, SOF/LDP accelerated time to the clinical response. However, rate of clinical response, duration of hospital and ICU stay and 14-day mortality were not different. No significant adverse event was detected. More randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of SOF/LDP in the treatment of COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzimidazoles / adverse effects
  • Benzimidazoles / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Fluorenes / adverse effects
  • Fluorenes / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sofosbuvir / adverse effects
  • Sofosbuvir / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Drug Combinations
  • Fluorenes
  • ledipasvir, sofosbuvir drug combination
  • Sofosbuvir