Journal article

Favipiravir in early symptomatic COVID-19, a randomised placebo-controlled trial

JH McMahon, JSY Lau, A Coldham, J Roney, M Hagenauer, S Price, M Bryant, J Garlick, A Paterson, SJ Lee, J O'Bryan, A Hearps, G Tachedjian, H Pinskier, C Phillips, S Garrow, N Pinskier, R Melvin, L Blakeway, JA Wisniewski Show all

Eclinicalmedicine | Published : 2022

Abstract

Background: Well tolerated antivirals administered early in the course of COVID-19 infection when the viremia is highest could prevent progression to severe disease. Favipiravir inhibits SARS-CoV-2 viral replication in vitro with evidence of clinical benefit in open label trials. Placebo controlled studies of people with early symptomatic COVID-19 with regular assessments of SARS-CoV-2 viral load can determine if it has an antiviral effect and improves clinical outcomes. Methods: People with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 and 5 days or less of symptoms were randomised 1:1 to favipiravir 1800 mg on day 1, then 800 mg twice daily or matched placebo for 14 days. SARS-CoV-2 viral load was quantitated fr..

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Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

The study was supported in part by grants from the Commonwealth Bank Australia, the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, Melbourne Australia and the Orloff Family Charitable Trust, Melbourne, Australia. JHM is supported by the Medical Research Future Fund, AYP, JT are supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.