Background The COVID-19 causing coronavirus is an enveloped RNA virus that utilizes an enzyme RNA dependent RNA polymerase for its replication. Favipiravir (FVP) triphosphate, a purine nucleoside analog, inhibits that enzyme. We have conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy and safety of the drug FVP as a treatment for COVID-19. Methods Databases like Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, preprint sites, and clinicaltirals.gov were searched. The studies with the standard of care (SOC) and FVP as a treatment drug were considered as the treatment group and the SOC with other antivirals and supportive care as the control group. Quantitative synthesis was done using RevMan 5.4. Clinical improvement, negative conversion of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), adverse effects, and oxygen requirements were studied. Results We identified a total of 1798 studies after searching the electronic databases. Nine in the qualitative studies and four studies in the quantitative synthesis met the criteria. There was a significant clinical improvement in the FVP group on the 14th day compared to the control group (RR 1.29, 1.08–1.54). Clinical deterioration rates were less likely in the FVP group though statistically not significant (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.30–1.14) at the endpoint of study (7–15 days). The meta-analysis showed no significant differences between the two groups on viral clearance (day 14: RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.84–1.33), non-invasive ventilation or oxygen requirement (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.42–1.39), and adverse effects (OR 0.69, 0.13–3.57). There are 31 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) registered in different parts of the world focusing FVP for COVID-19 treatment. Conclusion There is a significant clinical and radiological improvement following treatment with FVP in comparison to the standard of care with no significant differences on viral clearance, oxygen support requirement and side effect profiles.

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Abstract Background The coronavirus, cause of COVID-19 is an enveloped, RNA virus that utilizes an enzyme RNA dependent RNA polymerase for its replication. Favipiravir (FVP) triphosphate, a purine nucleoside analog, inhibits that enzyme. We have conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy and safety of drug FVP as a treatment for COVID-19. Methods Databases like Pubmed, Medline, Google Scholar, preprint sites, and clinicaltirals.gov were searched. Studies including FVP along with the standard of care (SOC) were taken in the treatment arm and SOC including other antivirals, and supportive care as control arm. Quantitative synthesis done using RevMan 5.4. Clinical improvement, negative conversion of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), adverse effects, and oxygen requirement were studied. Results We identified a total of 824 studies after electronic database searching. Five in qualitative studies and three studies in quantitative synthesis meet the criteria. There was a significant clinical improvement on FVP arms on 14th day compared to control arms (RR 1.41, 1.10–1.80). Clinical deterioration rates was significantly unlikely in FVP group (OR 0.21, 0.08–0.58) at the endpoint of study. The meta-analysis showed no significant differences between two arms on virological clearance (Day 14: RR 1.03, 0.64–1.67), oxygen requirement (OR 0.47, 0.21–1.04), and adverse effects (OR 0.42, 0.03–6.05). There are 25 Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) registered in different parts of the world focusing FVP for COVID-19 treatment. Conclusion There is significant clinical and radiological improvement following treatment with FVP in comparison to the standard of care with no significant differences on virological clearance, oxygen support requirement and side effect profile.