Incidence and Characteristics of Adverse Drug Reactions of Favipiravir among COVID-19 Patients at Sisaket Hospital

Abstract

Background: Favipiravir, a newly approved drug for Covid-19 treatment , had conditional approval. Due to limited safety information, healthcare professionals are required to adhere to an intensify safety monitoring program (SMP) for this drug.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the incidence and characteristics of adverse drug reactions of favipiravir among COVID-19 patients at Sisaket Hospital

Methods: Follow up of adverse reactions from favipiravir in diagnosed with COVID-19, non-severe patients , aged 18 years and over who received the drug at least 5 days between November 2021 to March 2022 in a total of 200 cases via phone calls . Data were recorded in the data collection form and analyzed with descriptive statistics.

Results: The mean age of the subjects was 37.6±16.22 years, 63% of them were female. Adverse reactions were observed in 11 patients (5.5%). The most commonly adverse reactions were gastrointestinal intolerance, such as loss of appetite in 4 patients (2.0%), nausea/vomiting in 3 patients (1.5%). Other adverse reactions included hair loss, headache, myalgia and skin rash (0.5% for each).

Conclusions: Incidence of adverse reactions of favipiravir in non–severe COVID-19 patients were found in about 5%, most of which were mild gastrointestinal symptoms and they demonstrated complete recovery upon discontinuation of the drug.