Guidelines for use of Tocilizumab in West Bengal
The West Bengal Government released a memo containing guidelines for the use of Tocilizumab among COVID-19 patients.
It has been advised that the drug be used in the following cases:
Recently hospitalised patients who have been admitted to the ICU within the past 24 hours and require IMV, NIV or HFNC oxygen (>0.4 FiO2/30L/Min of oxygen flow)
Recently hospitalised patients (not in the ICU) with rapidly increasing oxygen needs who required NIV or HFNC and have significantly increased markers of inflammation (CRP≥ 75mg/L).
The dosage must be a single intravenous dose of 8mg/kg of actual bodyweight, upto 800 mg in combination with dexamethasone in certain hospitalised patients.
It is advised to rule out active TB/bacterial/fungal infections before administrating the drug.
It has been advised to not administer the drug to patients who are significantly immunosuppressed.
It is mandatory for the use to be approved by an expert committee of the hospital.
