Favipiravir:
Favipiravir is a drug that directly binds with the enzyme of an RNA
virus and inhibits viral infection. This drug has potent anti-influenza
activity and has activity against many other RNA viruses. In a
controlled and open-label study, 80 confirmed cases of COVID are
subjected to a clinical trial in which favipiravir (n=35) is compared
with lopinavir/ritonavir (n=45). Both groups received interferon-alpha,
and the efficacy of these drugs is compared in both groups. The group
which was administered favipiravir shows improvement in symptoms and has
less reported adverse effects as compared to the other group.[7] This trial is no longer available due to a
lack of authenticity. In another randomized trial, drug Arbidol and
favipiravir are compared. [21] Confirmed cases of
COVID having moderate and severe infection are subjected to arbidol
(n=120) and favipiravir (n=120). Patients having moderate infection show
improvement with favipiravir in a week as compared to arbidol. Severely
infected patients show no significant improvement. These trials are also
not found in the journal due to a lack of placebo.[20]