Favipiravir
About
Favipiravir belongs to a group of antiviral medicines used to treat corona virus disease. Besides this, Favipiravir is also indicated for the treatment of influenza, ebola and other pathogenic viral infections. Corona virus disease, also known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2), is an infectious disease caused by the corona virus.
Favipiravir contains ‘Favipiravir’, which inhibits RNA polymerase, an enzyme that helps the corona virus to replicate itself. Thereby, Favipiravir lowers the virus load in the body and helps treat the infection.
You are advised to take Favipiravir for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as diarrhoea, hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid), reduced neutrophil count, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. You are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not take Favipiravir if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Favipiravir. Use effective contraception during and for seven days after the treatment with Favipiravir. Seek medical help immediately if you have a severe cough, fever, or difficulty breathing. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and the medicines you are taking to prevent any side effects/interactions.
Uses of Favipiravir
Medicinal Benefits
Favipiravir belongs to a group of antiviral medicines. Favipiravir has been recently approved for the treatment of mild corona virus disease. Besides this, Favipiravir is also indicated for the treatment of influenza, ebola and other pathogenic viral infections. Favipiravir inhibits RNA polymerase enzyme, an enzyme that helps the corona virus to replicate itself. Thereby, Favipiravir lowers the virus load in the body and helps treat the infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Favipiravir
- Diarrhoea
- Hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid)
- Reduced neutrophil count
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Favipiravir if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor if you have gout, heart, liver or kidney problems. Do not take Favipiravir if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Favipiravir. Use effective contraception during and for seven days after the treatment with Favipiravir. Seek medical help immediately if you have a severe cough, fever, or difficulty breathing. The safety of Favipiravir in children is unknown, so please consult a doctor if you have any concerns regarding the use of Favipiravir in children.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Favipiravir may interact with anti-TB (pyrazinamide), hyperglycaemic agent (repaglinide), methylxanthines (theophylline), anti-viral (famciclovir, acyclovir), NSAID (sulindac).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have gout.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known whether Favipiravir interacts with alcohol. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeAvoid taking Favipiravir if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Favipiravir as it may pass into breastmilk.
Driving
cautionIt is unknown if Favipiravir affects your ability to drive. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor before taking Favipiravir if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor before taking Favipiravir if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionThe safety of Favipiravir in children is unknown. Please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Always remember to wear a mask when you are around other people. Wearing a mask helps in preventing the spread of infection.
- Maintain social distance and avoid gatherings.
- Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
- Stay home and isolate yourself if you feel unwell.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Stay well hydrated.
- Saltwater gargling and steam inhalation would be helpful.
- Exercise regularly. Try walking for 10 minutes in the morning, afternoon, evening and night.
- Consume protein-rich foods.
Special Advise
- Seek medical help immediately if you have a severe cough, fever, or breathing difficultly.
- Regularly monitor SpO2 (oxygen saturation levels), and report to a hospital if the levels are below 92%.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
COVID-19: Corona virus disease, also known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2), is an infectious disease caused by the corona virus. Corona virus belongs to a group of RNA viruses and has crown-like projections on the surface of the pathogen. The virus transmits through droplets generated from an infectious person’s cough, sneeze or heavy breathing. The common symptoms of corona virus disease are dry cough, tiredness, breathlessness, fever, loss of sense of taste and smell, diarrhoea, body pains, headache, and sore throat.
FAQs
Favipiravir inhibits RNA polymerase enzyme, an enzyme that helps the corona virus to replicate itself. Thereby, Favipiravir helps in lowering virus load in the body and treats the infection.
Do not stop taking Favipiravir without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Favipiravir for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Favipiravir.
Favipiravir might cause hyperuricemia (elevated levels of uric acid); therefore, it is advised to consult a doctor before taking Favipiravir if you have gout.
Regularly clean your hands thoroughly using soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth without washing your hands. Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly. Always remember to wear a mask, maintain social distance and avoid gatherings.
Covid-19 spreads through respiratory droplets when in close or direct contact with an infected person. The virus can spread through an infected person’s sneeze or cough. The virus can also be transmitted by touching any contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose, mouth or eyes without washing their hands.
Please consult your doctor before taking Favipiravir with repaglinide as taking them together might cause unpleasant side-effects such as low blood sugar levels, headache and upper respiratory tract infections.
