The comparative study of the Favipiravir therapeutic efÏcacy on improving clinical and some of test parameters in severe cases of COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Background: Some of study results are showing that, providing antiviral treatment as early as possible after COVID -19 infections can prevent from disease progression and its complications. Due to the selection of appropriate antiviral drug and regimen is unclear; researchers are still paying close attention on this field. Aim: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of remdesivir and favipiravir for clinical severe cases of COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted in NCCD, State Third Central Hospitaland the Mongolian-Japan Hospital of MNUMS. Total of 150 patients who were hospitalized, COVID-19 confirmed, met inclusion criteria and agreed with informed consent were included in the study. In study group, Favipiravir and in control /standard/ group Remdesivir was provided in accordance with clinical guideline and their clinical and some of test parameter results were compared. Results: In the study group, S, N, E specific nucleic acid sequence of SARS-Cov-2 virus by PCR test, inflammatory markers such as C reactive protein and LDH and clinical signs were improved 5-7 days after treatment initiation compared with pre-treatment status which was similar with standard treatment /Remdesivir/ group. At fourteenth day after discharging from hospital, clinical signs and test parameters result were similar in trial group in comparison with standard treatment group. Discussion: The onset of clinical improvement of patients with COVID-19 caused pneumonia was decreased by approximately 3 days in favipiravir-treated group. Furthermore, symptoms, pulmonary fields and viral clearance were visibly improved in the favipiravir treated group. Those are consistent with result of the current study. Conclusion: Therefore, it shows that Ravipiravir has equal therapeutic effect on severe case of COVID-19 infection with Remdesivir.