Efficacy of Favipiravir in the Treatment of Moderate COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized, Open-label, Controlled Clinical Trial

Introduction: Since the beginning of the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, scientists have studied many drugs to treat it, but none of them have been approved as a complete cure. Favipiravir is one of those drugs that effectively clears the body from the virus by interfering with the process of replication. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of favipiravir compared with supportive medication to treat moderate COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: In this randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial, we examined the efficacy of favipiravir to treat moderate COVID-19 patients. The study was conducted in Labbafinejad Hospital (Tehran, Iran) from April to September 2021. A 1:1 ratio of eligible patients were assigned to the intervention and control groups. The control group received supportive medication. In addition to supportive medication, the intervention group received favipiravir. The primary endpoint was the hospitalization rate during the seven-day follow-up. And the secondary endpoints were symptoms, signs, and laboratory tests of the patients. Results: Out of 78 patients who were included in the study, 40 patients were assigned to the control group and 38 patients were assigned to the intervention group. At the beginning of treatment, the respiratory rate was higher in the intervention group (p=0.001), however, on the fifth (p=0.001) and seventh (p<0.001) days, it was significantly lower in the intervention group. In addition, oxygen saturation at the beginning of treatment was lower in the intervention group (p<0.001);however, on the fifth (p=0.016) and seventh (p<0.001) days, it was significantly higher in the intervention group. Furthermore, the consumption of favipiravir was not associated with the hospitalization rate (p=0.200). Conclusion: Favipiravir enhances respiratory manifestations in patients with moderate COVID-19 when compared to supportive medication alone.