Why do we
use it?

COVID-19 is caused by a virus called a coronavirus. This is a new type of coronavirus and has not been seen before. This new coronavirus was first found in people in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Person-to-person spread was reported outside Hubei and in countries outside China, including in India. You can get COVID-19 through contact with another person who has the virus.

COVID-19 illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death. The severity of this infection depends on the concomitant disease states of the person along with age. Older people and people of all ages with severe, long lasting (chronic) medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example, seem to be at higher risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19.

After exposure the symptoms may appear within 2 to 14 days which includes fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other medical conditions may become worse in case you have serious COVID-19 illness including breathing problems.

Some less common symptoms are diarrhea, skin rash and loss of taste or smell.

FAVIVIR is a product which contains drug Favipiravir. Favipiravir is used and approved in Influenza virus named Ebola. It has been found to work against various types of influenza viruses including those on which other drugs do not work. With the novel antiviral properties favipiravir is being found to be useful in COVID-19 therapy. Favipiravir is currently the drug under investigation for COVID-19.

As per the clinical trials, favipiravir showed efficacy above 80% which is the threshold for high antiviral activity. It also demonstrated safety with no new or previously unreported side effects. Favipiravir reduced body temperature and eliminated the virus out of body in half of the time as compared to standard of care. Faster improvement in the general health and clinical condition of the patients taking Favipiravir was observed, which may lead to earlier discharge from hospital and reduce the burden on medical facilities in the near future.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted an accelerated approval of this drug to meet the urgent medical need for the treatment of COVID-19 through restricted medical use.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have any allergies
• Have kidney or liver problems
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• Have any serious illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes
• Have been taking any medications for any other illnesses
• Are taking any medicines (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbal products)

FAVIVIR is in the form of tablets which are given orally. The dosage is 1800 mg (9 tablets) twice daily (total 18 tablets) on day 1 followed by 800 mg (4 tablets) twice daily (total 8 tablets per day) from day 2 up to maximum of 14 days.

• Favipiravir is currently being investigated in the treatment of COVID-19. Hence, all the precautions and warnings are not yet known in this set of patients
• Patients with gout or a history of gout, and patients with high level of blood uric acid level may increase, and symptoms may be increased.
• Although the relationship between favipiravir and these side effects is unknown, abnormal behavior after administration of Favipiravir have been reported. For the treatment of children and minors, as a preventive approach in case of an accident due to abnormal behavior such as fall, patients/their family should be instructed that, after the start of treatment, (i) abnormal behavior may be developed, and (ii) guardians and others should make an arrangement so that children/minors are not left alone for at least 2 days when they are treated at home.
• Patients may have chances of decrease in neutrophil cell count, increase in liver enzymes such as Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT).

These may not be all the possible side effects of favipiravir in patients with coronavirus infection. Since favipiravir is still being studied there is a chance that all of the risks are not yet known at this time.

Not many people have taken favipiravir as of now. Serious and unexpected side effects may happen to some people.

Favipiravir is not to be used in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Discuss your options and specific situation with your healthcare provider.

Favipiravir is distributed in sperm. Male patients should use most effective contraceptive methods in sexual intercourse during and for 7 days after the end of the treatment (men must wear a condom). In addition, sexual intercourse with pregnant women should be strictly avoided.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

You can report the side effects on Hetero helpline no. 1800-120-8689 or write us on drugsafetyindia@heterodrugs.com.