(24 Apr 2021) Favipiravir- was associated with accelerated discharge rate

Effectiveness and safety of favipiravir compared to supportive care in moderately to critically ill COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study with propensity score matching sensitivity analysis

https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2021.1920900

Overall, median time to discharge was 10 days (95%CI =9-10) in the favipiravir arm versus 15 days (95%CI =14-16) in the supportive-care arm. The accelerated discharge benefit was seen across the COVID-19 spectrum of severity. The adjusted discharge ratio was 1.96 (95%CI =1.56-2.46). Progression to mechanical ventilation was slower with favipiravir (HRadj=0.10, 95%CI =0.04-0.29). There was no significant effect on mortality (HRadj=1.56, 95%CI =0.73-3.36). There was a statistically non-significant trend toward worse outcomes in the critical category (HRadj=2.80, 95%CI =0.99-7.89). Age was an independent risk factor for mortality in mechanically ventilated patients. PSM analyses confirmed these findings.  Favipiravir was associated with clinical benefits, including accelerated discharge rate and less progression to mechanical ventilation; however, no overall mortality benefits were seen across the severity spectrum.