The clinical characteristics of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, dyspnea, and pneumonia. As of May 5, 2021, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center has reported 161,288,384 confirmed Global COVID-19 cases and a total of 3,347,154 worldwide deaths 2. The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak began in late December 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide, critically impacting public health systems 1. We should consider that perhaps the use of antiviral once the patient has symptoms is too late and this would explain their low efficacy in the clinical setting. Favipiravir possibly exerted no significant beneficial effect in the term of mortality in the general group of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. The mortality rate in the Favipiravir group was approximately 30% less than the control group, but this finding not statistically significant. Transferred to ICU and adverse events were not statistically different between two groups. Requiring supplemental oxygen therapy in the Favipiravir group was 7% less than the control group, (RR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.67–1.28 P = 0.664). Viral clearance was more in 14 days after hospitalization in Favipiravir group than control group, but this finding marginally not significant (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.98–1.25 P = 0.094). The results of the meta-analysis revealed a significant clinical improvement in the Favipiravir group versus the control group during seven days after hospitalization (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09–1.41 P = 0.001). Nine studies were included in our meta-analysis. Egger and Begg test was used for assessing publication bias.
#Citing comprehensive meta analysis 3.3 software
All analyses were performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 2, and the risk ratio index was calculated. We assessed the risk of bias of the included studies using Cochrane Collaboration criteria. We searched electronic databases including LitCovid/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane, and Scientific Information Database up to 31 December 2020. All clinical trials which addressed the safety and efficacy of Favipiravir in comparison to other control groups for treatment of patients with confirmed infection with SARS-CoV2 were included. We registered the protocol in the PROSPERO (CRD42020180032). This systematic review and meta-analysis were reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement. We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of Favipiravir in treatment of COVID-19 patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A number of already approved and marketed drugs are being tested for repurposing, including Favipiravir. The novel coronavirus outbreak began in late December 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide, critically impacting public health systems.