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Assessment of the efficacy and safety of favipiravir in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in United Arab Emirates: A single-center study

Bayan Ayash1, Sahab Alkhoujah2, Neena Abraham3, Ahmad El Ouweini1, Sara Mansour4, Syed Wassif Gillani1, Rabih Hallit5,6,7, Souheil Hallit8,9, Diana Malaeb1★★ Corresponding author

  1. 1College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
  2. 2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Science, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
  3. 3College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Karnataka, India.
  4. 4School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  5. 5School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
  6. 6Department of Infectious Disease, Bellevue Medical Center, Mansourieh, Lebanon.
  7. 7Department of Infectious Disease, Notre Dame des Secours University Hospital, Postal Code 3, Byblos, Lebanon.
  8. 8School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
  9. 9Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.

CORRESPONDENCE

Diana Malaeb

College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

dr.diana@gmu.ac.ae

Received: 04-07-2023; Accepted: 16-11-2023.

Volume 22, Issue 2 · pp. 2917 · PUBLISHED 3 May 2024 · DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2024.2.2917

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ABSTRACT

Background: Anti-viral medications are among the treatment options for coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) management although they are still not FDA approved for coronavirus treatment. We conducted the study to assess the efficacy, and safety of favipiravir versus symptomatic management in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 476 participants, divided into two groups. All patients received symptomatic management, and 300 received favipiravir 1,600 mg/day on day 1 and 600 mg/day on days 2 to 5. Results: The mean age of the patients was 44.18 ± 12.24 years (49.2% females). The most described COVID-19 symptoms was cough, followed by sore throat, headache, and fever. Each side effect of favipiravir was experienced by almost 38% of the patients. The average days for symptoms relief was 4.73 ± 2.25 days. The results of the linear regression showed that the intake of favipiravir vs symptomatic management only was significantly associated with a higher mean number of days until symptoms relief. Conclusion: The results highlight that efficacy of favipiravir is not supported yet for the treatment of COVID-19 as it was associated with higher mean number of days until symptoms relief. However, no remarkable issues with safety associated with Favipiravir were observed.

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    Ayash, B., Alkhoujah, S., Abraham, N., Ouweini, A. E., Mansour, S., Gillani, S. W., Hallit, R., Hallit, S., & Malaeb, D. (2024). Assessment of the efficacy and safety of favipiravir in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in United Arab Emirates: A single-center study. Pharmacy Practice, 22(2), 2917. https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2024.2.2917