Favipiravir

Recently Favipiravir has received DCGI approval to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in India. Written consent from each patient or his representative shall be obtained by the prescriber i.e. medical representative before the drug administration.

Favipiravir is the first oral antiviral drug treatment option for mild to moderate COVID-19 cases. An informed consent form is provided with each pack of the medicine.

Favipiravir was primarily used to treat influenza. The use of this drug was considered only when an outbreak of novel or re-emerging influenza virus infection, which was not effectively treated by any other available drugs. At that time the government decided to use the drug as a countermeasure against such influenza viruses.

As per the government countermeasures, Favipiravir can only be administered to appropriate patients. This drug was first approved in Japan to be used against the treatment of Influenza. This drug is nowadays in the spotlight due to its positive usefulness to treat COVID-19.

It is under investigation to treat viruses like Ebola, and most recently, COVID-19. Since the elderly often have reduced physiological functions, Favipiravir should be administered with care to them by monitoring their general conditions.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Influenza (Flu)

  Novel or re-emerging influenza virus infection (only limited to those cases which are not effectively treated by other available medicines.

• COVID-19

  This medicine is recently received approval for its use for treating COVID-19 patients in India.

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV)

• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Pregnancy

• Nursing Mothers

• Hypersensitivity

• Gout

• Renal Impairment

• Severe Liver Impairment

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Anaphylactic Reaction

• Pneumonia

• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (Sjs)

• Acute Renal Failure

• Low Wbc Count

• Low Blood Platelets

• Dizziness

• Abnormal Behavior

• Hallucination

• Convulsions

• Colitis

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal Pain

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  This drug must be avoided to women known or suspected to be pregnant. As it is observed to be teratogenic in nature.

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  If administered to lactating women, instruct to stop lactating.

• Does this affect kidney function?

  Dose adjustment needed. Consult your doctor before administration.

• Does this affect liver function?

  Dose adjustment needed, As this drug may cause an increase in liver enzymes. Consult your doctor before administration.

• What is the onset of action?

  It is yet to be estimated

• How long is the duration of effect?

  The half-life of this drug is estimated to be in between 2 to 6 hrs

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  No relevant data available.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  As it may cause dizziness, thus one must avoid driving if taking this medication.

• Is it habit forming?

  No relevant information is available yet

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Are there any missed dose instructions?

  If you miss a dose of Favipiravir, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Favipiravir as ingredient

• Fabiflu Tablet

  Glenmark

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Favipiravir belongs to the class of antiviral medication. It works by selectively inhibiting RNA polymerase involved in Influenza viral replication.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Ques : What is Favipiravir?

  Ans : Favipiravir is an antiviral drug. And recently received limelight due to its effectiveness in treating COVID-19 patients.

• Ques : What is Favipiravir used for?

  Ans : It was primarily used to treat influenza flu. But recently received Indian regulatory approval for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 infected patients.

• Ques : What are the side effects of Favipiravir?

  Ans : The following are the side effects that might appear in a patient taking Favipiravir, that includes: Shock, Anaphylaxis, Pneumonia, Hepatitis fulminant, Hepatic dysfunction, Jaundice, Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Oculomucocutaneous syndrome (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), Acute kidney injury, White blood cell count decreased, Neutrophil count decreased, Platelet count decreased, Neurological and psychiatric symptoms (consciousness disturbed, abnormal behavior, deliria, hallucination, delusion, convulsion, etc.) and Colitis hemorrhagic.

• Ques : For how long should I continue Favipiravir?

  Ans : You must follow the prescription. Favipiravir must be taken for the period suggested by the doctor. It will depend on the severity of your condition.

• Ques : What are the instructions for storage and disposal Favipiravir?

  Ans : This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original pack. Make sure Favipiravir remains unreachable to children and pets. Proper disposal of the expired and unused medications is important to avoid health problems.

• Ques : Can I take umifenovir along with Favipiravir?

  Ans : It has been suggested that the combination of two antiviral drugs Favipiravir (Approved drug for novel flu pandemic) with Umifenovir (Approved drug for Influenza) are highly effective and also minimize the emergence of resistance in COVID-19 patients.

• Ques : Is Favipiravir approved in India?

  Ans : Yes, Favipiraviris the first oral antiviral treatment option for mild to moderate Covid-19 cases.

• Ques : Can I take Favipiravir by myself?

  Ans : No, it is not suggested to be taken on your own. Favipiravir must be prescribed and the consent form must be provided by the patient or his representative to the physician.

• Ques : What are the cautions which are needed to be taken while taking Favipiravir?

  Ans : Favipiravir should be used with caution in patients with a history of abnormalities in metabolism of uric acid or having Gout.

• Ques : What was Favipiravir originally used for?

  Ans : Favipiravir was originally used to treat influenza flu. This medicine was only considered in patients with an outbreak of novel or re-emerging influenza virus infection that is not effectively treated by any other available drugs.

• Ques : How does Favipiravir work?

  Ans : Favipiravir selectively inhibits the RNA polymerase that is involved in replication of influenza virus.

• Ques : Does Favipiravir weaken the immune system like other antivirals?

  Ans : No evidence is available that shows that Favipiravir weakens the immune system in any sort. But as It belongs to the class of antivirals and the fellow drugs of the same class do have an immunosuppressive activity. Thus it is suggested to prescribe Favipiravir along with the immunomodulatory drugs, just to maintain the patients immune functions.

• Ques : Can patients with comorbid conditions use Favipiravir?

  Ans : It is suggested to be given in recommended dosage to the patients with comorbid diseases. However it is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney and liver impairment.

• Ques : Is Favipiravir safe for use by pregnant women?

  Ans : It must not be prescribed or given to a pregnant woman. Favipiravir is observed to be teratogenic in nature. Hence, it leads to cause foetal abnormalities.

• Ques : Can patients with diabetes and hypertension conditions use Favipiravir?

  Ans : Yes, it can be prescribed to the patients with comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension but must be administered in the recommended doses.

• Favipiravir- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/favipiravir

• Favipiravir- DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB12466

• Favipiravir- PubChem, NIH, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information [Internet]. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Favipiravir