Current and future use of favipiravir in patients with COVID-19

Abstract

There are experimental and clinical data regarding the activity of favipiravir against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The is evidence of significant variability in pharmacokinetics and associated achievement of the required inhibitory concentration of the drug. The evidence base for the effectiveness of use in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 is limited to open-label randomized clinical trials. The use of the drug, given the limited experience of using favipiravir, requires special attention to the safety of its prescription (pregnancy test, contraception compliance, control of uric acid, transaminases, ECG). At present, the prescription of the drug can be considered by the attending physicians if the expected benefits of its use prevail over the possible risks in accordance with the approved instructions for medical use and the temporary guidelines of the Ministry of Health of Russia.