COULD FAVIPIRAVIR BE AN EFFECTIVE AND SAFE OPTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19?
Mohammed G. Maslub*, Mahasen A. Radwan, Mina S. Mikhail and Zeyad A. Abdalla
ABSTRACT
Through the ongoing world war against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) plague, a definite rational anti-viral treatment for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still absent. Favipiravir (FPV), as an antiviral agent, demonstrates effectiveness towards Oseltamivir (OTV)-resistant influenza, and numerous RNA viruses. The aim of this work was to review both the FPV safety and effectiveness in managing SARS-CoV-2. A thorough search for relevant articles in the databases on the Egyptian Knowledge Bank limited to the period 12/4/2015 - 12/7/2020 was performed. Preference was given to articles concerning the therapeutic options for treating COVID-19 including FPV principally. Twenty six articles were selected. Six cited articles have reported FPV effectiveness towards several RNA viruses, while, 5 articles reported FPV potential activity towards SARS-CoV-2. Sixty-five% of the articles stated current investigations testing the effectiveness of FPV with other combinations in treating SARS-CoV-2. Only 1 article studied the adverse reaction of FPV. Although it is too early to give a final recommendation of using any medication for the exponentially spreading COVID-19, 20 of the articles revealed FPV activity against various RNA viruses particularly, resistant types. Japan has approved FPV for the treatment of pandemic influenza and China encouraged the use of it for SARS-CoV-2 treatment. Therefore, FPV could be a promising antiviral treatment as it is relatively safe in comparison to other treatment options for COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, favipiravir, coronavirus treatment.
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