ABSTRACT

Introduction

At this time, there is no specific therapeutic or vaccine for treatment of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hence, available drugs for treatment of other viral infections may be useful to treat COVID-19.

Areas covered

The focus of the current review was studying the main characteristics of favipiravir and its usefulness to treat COVID-19. An electronic search was done by using Pubmed and Google scholar.

Expert opinion

Based on the mechanism of action and safety of favipiravir, the drug may be a promising candidate for compassionate use against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Favipiravir has a wide range of activity against many single-stranded RNA viruses, is well tolerated in humans and has a high barrier to resistance. However, high doses of the agent are necessary to obtain an efficient antiviral activity. Favipiravir is teratogen in pregnant women and associated with the hyperuricemia. Therefore, the administration of the drug should be well controlled. Investigating the antiviral prophylactic potency of favipiravir and search for its pro-drugs and/or analogs showing improved activity and/or safety are critical.

中文翻译：

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法匹拉韦综述：治疗 COVID-19 的特性、功能和有用性

摘要

介绍

目前，尚无治疗严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 的特异性疗法或疫苗。因此，可用于治疗其他病毒感染的药物可能有助于治疗 COVID-19。

覆盖区域

本综述的重点是研究法匹拉韦的主要特征及其治疗 COVID-19 的有用性。使用 Pubmed 和 Google 学者进行电子搜索。

专家意见

基于法匹拉韦的作用机制和安全性，该药物可能是一种有希望的候选药物，可用于对抗 SARS-CoV-2 感染。法匹拉韦对许多单链 RNA 病毒具有广泛的活性，在人类中具有良好的耐受性，并且对耐药性具有很高的屏障。然而，需要高剂量的药剂才能获得有效的抗病毒活性。法匹拉韦是孕妇的致畸剂，与高尿酸血症有关。因此，应很好地控制药物的给药。研究法匹拉韦的抗病毒预防效力并寻找其显示出改善的活性和/或安全性的前药和/或类似物至关重要。