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ANTIINFECTIVES FOR SYSTEMIC USE › ANTIVIRALS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › DIRECT ACTING ANTIVIRALS › Other antivirals
favipiravir
J05AX27
Adult Dosing
- Influenza/Viral infections (investigational/regional): Loading dose 1600 mg orally twice on day 1, then 600 mg orally twice daily on days 2 through 5
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients
Indications
- Treatment of novel or re-emerging pandemic influenza viruses (approved in Japan)
- Emergency use or clinical trials for severe acute respiratory infections (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, Ebola)
Mechanism of Action
- Selective inhibitor of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)
- Undergoes intracellular phosphoribosylation to form an active favipiravir-ribofuranosyl-5'-triphosphate, which is recognized as a substrate by viral RNA polymerase and inhibits strand extension
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to favipiravir or its components
- Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential (known teratogen and embryotoxic)
- Severe hepatic impairment
Adverse Reactions
- Elevated serum uric acid
- Diarrhea
- Decreased neutrophil count
- Elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
- Nausea and vomiting
Drug Interactions
- Pyrazinamide: may increase serum uric acid concentrations
- Repaglinide: potential for increased exposure via CYP2C8 inhibition (minor pathway)
- Theophylline: potential clearance alterations
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use