(19 Mar 2021) Favipiravir- did not shorten time to clinical recovery and length of hospital stay

Safety and efficacy of Favipiravir in moderate to severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107522

IRCT20200318046812N1- 380 patients were randomly allocated into Favipiravir (193) and Lopinavir/Ritonavir (187) groups in 13 centers. The number of deaths, intubations, and ICU admissions were not significantly different (26, 27, 31 and 21, 17, 25 respectively). Mean hospital stay was also not different (7.9 days [SD = 6] in the Favipiravir and 8.1 [SD = 6.5] days in Lopinavir/Ritonavir groups) (p = 0.61). Time to clinical recovery in the Favipiravir group was similar to Lopinavir/Ritonavir group (HR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.75 – 1.17) and likewise the changes in the daily SpO2 after discontinuation of supplemental oxygen (p = 0.46). Adding Favipiravir to the treatment protocol did not reduce the number of ICU admissions or intubations or In-hospital mortality compared to Lopinavir/Ritonavir regimen. It also did not shorten time to clinical recovery and length of hospital stay.