FabiFlu : Therapeutic uses, Clinical uses, Indications, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings, Interactions, Precautions, Contraindications
Updated on 21st June 2020. These materials are regularly updated based on new scientific findings & trials as the pandemic evolves.
FabiFlu is an antiviral medication developed by the Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai, India. It is approved as treatment for mild to moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Generic name: Favipiravir
Dose : 200 mg
Route : Oral
Onset of action : N/A
Plasma half-life : N/A
Duration of action : N/A
Bioavailability : N/A
Plasma protein binding : N/A
Metabolism : N/A
Pregnancy risk category : N/A
Chemical formula : C5H4FN3O2
IUPAC name : 6-fluoro-3-hydroxypyrazine-2-carboxamide
Therapeutic uses : FabiFlu is approved for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients in India.
The launching company, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai, India received marketing and manufacturing approval from the Indian drug regulator, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and launched the product in the Indian market.
- Prescription:
1800 mg on Day 1 (200 mg × 9 tablets)
800 mg for next 14 days (200 mg × 4 tablets)
- Price: Rs 3,500 for a pack of 34 tablets (Rs 103 per tablet)
Glenmark had developed the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and the formulation for FabiFlu through in-house R&D. The DCGI allowed fast track trials with Phase III in limited patients.
Is FabiFlu effective for COVID-19?
Glenmark did a clinical trial among 90 mild and 60 moderate COVID-19 patients across 11 sites in India. The drug is claimed to have an efficacy of over 80% in the treatment of COVID-19 mild to moderate patients.
Mechanism of action
Favipiravir undergoes an intracellular phosphoribosylation to be an active form, favipiravir-RTP (favipiravir ribofuranosyl-5′-triphosphate).
Favipiravir-RTP mistakenly recognized as a substrate by viral RdRp
⇓
Favipiravir-RTP is misincorporated in nascent vRNA, or it may act by binding to conserved polymerase domains
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Inhibits the RNA polymerase activity
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Preventing incorporation of nucleotides for viral RNA (vRNA) replication and transcription
Side effects
Typical antiviral drug side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Drug Interactions
- N/A
Precautions
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist
- If you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
- Your medical history.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Favipiravir.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Editor’s Note: Favipiravir is not FDA-approved. As a result, there is limited published information on this potential COVID-19 coronavirus treatment.
