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Favipiravir

About Favipiravir

Favipiravir belongs to a group of antiviral medicines used to treat coronavirus disease. It is also indicated for the treatment of influenza, ebola, and other pathogenic viral infections. Coronavirus disease, also known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2), is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus.
 
Favipiravir contains ‘Favipiravir’, which inhibits RNA polymerase, an enzyme that helps the coronavirus replicate itself. Thus, 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

Favipiravir is used to treat the Coronavirus disease.

Medicinal Benefits

Favipiravir belongs to a group of antiviral medicines. It has recently been approved for the treatment of mild coronavirus disease. In addition, it is indicated for the treatment of influenza, ebola, and other pathogenic viral infections. Favipiravir inhibits the RNA polymerase enzyme, an enzyme that helps the coronavirus replicate itself. Thus, Favipiravir lowers the virus load in the body and helps treat the infection.

Directions for Use

Tablet/Capsule: Swallow it as a whole with water; do not chew or crush the tablet/capsule. Suspension: Shake the bottle well before use. Take the prescribed dose by mouth using the measuring cup/dosing syringe/dropper provided by the pack.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Favipiravir

  • Diarrhoea
  • Hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid)
  • Reduced neutrophil count
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain

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:

  • PYRAZINAMIDE
  • REPAGLINIDE
  • THEOPHYLLINE
  • FAMCICLOVIR
  • ACICLOVIR
  • Safety Advice

    • Safety Warning

      Alcohol

      consult your doctor

      It is not known whether Favipiravir interacts with alcohol. Please consult your doctor.

    • Safety Warning

      Pregnancy

      unsafe

      Avoid taking Favipiravir if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.

    • Safety Warning

      Breast Feeding

      unsafe

      Avoid breastfeeding while taking Favipiravir as it may pass into breastmilk.

    • Safety Warning

      Driving

      consult your doctor

      It is unknown if Favipiravir affects your ability to drive. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.

    • Safety Warning

      Liver

      caution

      Dose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor before taking Favipiravir if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.

    • Safety Warning

      Kidney

      caution

      Dose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor before taking Favipiravir if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.

    • Safety Warning

      Children

      consult your doctor

      The safety of Favipiravir in children is unknown. Please consult a doctor.

    Habit Forming

    No

    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: Coronavirus disease, also known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2), is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus. Coronavirus 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 coronavirus 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.

    Favipiravir contains favipiravir as its active substance, which belongs to a class of medicines called antiviral medicines. Favipiravir is used to treat coronavirus disease.

    Favipiravir is preferably taken in individuals with mild Covid-19 infection. Early use of antiviral medicines is more effective, while delaying treatment can worsen symptoms and slow recovery. Consult your doctor immediately after testing positive for Covid-19.

    Favipiravir should not be taken by those allergic to any of its active components, with severe kidney or liver issues. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use it only if advised by a doctor.

    Favipiravir should be taken as prescribed by your doctor, typically for up to 14 days. Your doctor decides the dose based on your health condition. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

    Favipiravir should be used with caution in elderly patients, as they may have reduced physiological functions, requiring close monitoring. There is no established experience with its use in young children, so it should be used only if advised by a doctor.

    Favipiravir should generally be avoided during pregnancy due to potential risks to the fetus, and breastfeeding women are advised to discontinue lactation if Favipiravir is necessary, as its metabolites may be excreted in breast milk. Therefore, always consult a healthcare provider before using Favipiravir in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

    Store Favipiravir at room temperature below 30°C in a dry place as advised on the label. Keep it out of reach of children.

    You can take Favipiravir, if you have diabetes and hypertension, but only under medical supervision. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

    Available Medicines for

    Favipiravir

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