Favipiravir
About Favipiravir
Favipiravir is an antiviral medicine used to treat certain viral infections. In India, it has been used under restricted emergency approvals for selected patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Its use should only be under a doctor's prescription and based on current treatment guidelines and your individual condition, as clinical evidence continues to evolve. It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, helping your body fight the infection.
It is crucial to take Favipiravir exactly as prescribed by your doctor, finishing the entire course even if you start to feel better. You can take this tablet with or without food, but taking it at the same time every day helps maintain a steady level of the medicine in your body. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting adequate rest during your treatment will support your body's healing process.
While taking Favipiravir, some people may experience mild side effects like diarrhoea or temporary changes in certain lab tests, such as elevated uric acid levels. These effects are usually temporary and resolve once the treatment is complete. However, if you notice severe allergic reactions, signs of liver problems, or other unusual symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away.
Before taking Favipiravir, you must tell your doctor if you have a history of gout, high uric acid levels, or liver or kidney disease. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as it can cause severe harm to an unborn baby. Both men and women of childbearing age must use highly effective birth control during and for a specified time after completing treatment.
Favipiravir can interact with certain other medications, such as some medicines for tuberculosis or diabetes, which may change how your body processes them. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can increase the strain on your liver and raise uric acid levels. Elderly individuals should consult their doctor before starting treatment, as they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.
This medicine should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor for a confirmed or suspected viral infection. Do not use it without medical advice or for illnesses outside its approved indications.
Uses of Favipiravir
Medicinal Benefits
Favipiravir helps stop the virus from multiplying inside the body, helping your immune system fight the infection more effectively. Early treatment may reduce symptom severity, speed up recovery, and lower the risk of severe illness. The detailed benefits are as follows:
- Blocks Viral Replication: Prevents the virus from making new copies of itself, helping control the infection.
- Reduces Symptom Severity: Helps lessen symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue, and other illness-related discomfort.
- Supports Faster Recovery: Early treatment may shorten the duration of illness and help you return to your daily activities sooner.
- Lowers the Risk of Severe Disease: Helps reduce the chance of the infection progressing to a more serious stage or requiring hospitalisation.
- Convenient Oral Treatment: Can be taken at home as prescribed, reducing the need for hospital-based treatment in eligible patients.
Directions for Use
- Favipiravir can be taken with or without food, as recommended by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Favipiravir as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Favipiravir
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Increased levels of uric acid (which can sometimes trigger joint pain or gout)
- Temporary changes in liver enzymes
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (which may indicate liver damage)
- Sudden, severe pain and swelling in your joints (signs of a gout attack)
- Trouble breathing or severe dizziness
Drug Warnings
- Strict pregnancy warning: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it carries a high risk of causing birth defects.
- Contraception requirement: Both male and female patients must use highly effective birth control methods during the treatment and for the time recommended by your doctor after the final dose. Male patients must use condoms, as the medicine can pass into semen.
- Complete the full course: Always finish the entire prescribed course of treatment, even if your symptoms improve after a few days, to ensure the virus is fully cleared.
- Monitor joint discomfort: If you have a history of gout, watch closely for joint pain or swelling and inform your doctor immediately if these symptoms occur.
- Share your full medication list: Tell your healthcare provider about all other prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements you are taking before starting Favipiravir.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Favipiravir:
- Antidiabetic medicines (e.g., repaglinide): Favipiravir may increase the amount of repaglinide in your blood by affecting the way your body handles the medicine. This may increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), so your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels or adjust your treatment if needed.
- Anti-tuberculosis medicines (e.g., pyrazinamide): Taking Favipiravir with certain anti-tuberculosis medicines may increase the risk of high uric acid levels, joint pain, or gout.
- Antacids (e.g., aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide): Tell your doctor if you regularly take antacids, as they may affect how some medicines are absorbed. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you on the best way to take these medicines if needed.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt 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
consult your doctorIt 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
consult your doctorThe safety of Favipiravir in children is unknown. Please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This helps your kidneys flush out uric acid, which can build up while taking this medicine.
- Limit foods high in purines: Avoid or reduce your intake of foods like red meat, seafood, and yeast extracts, which can further increase uric acid levels and trigger joint pain.
- Prioritize rest: Your body needs energy to fight off a viral infection. Ensure you get plenty of sleep and avoid strenuous activities during your recovery.
- Eat simple, bland meals: If you experience mild nausea or an upset stomach, stick to plain foods like toast, rice, or crackers until your stomach settles.
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 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.
No, Favipiravir is an antiviral medicine prescribed for specific viral infections like influenza. It is not effective against the viruses that cause the common cold. Talk to your doctor for appropriate treatments for cold symptoms.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Favipiravir. Alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage and further elevate your uric acid levels, which may lead to joint pain. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Joint pain can be a sign of increased uric acid levels in your body. Do not take any new medicines to treat this pain without consulting a professional. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist right away for guidance.
You can take Favipiravir either with or without food. If you find that the medicine upsets your stomach, taking it with a light meal may help prevent discomfort. Talk to your doctor if stomach issues persist.
