What Is Fabiflu? Drug Approved For COVID-19 Treatment

Since the second wave of COVID-19 hit India in March end, the only positive thing noted during these times has been the medical advancements the country made since last year.

Apart from the hope given by the vaccines, some drugs have proved significantly effective in the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients. Favipiravir known as Fabiflu is one such drug. It was the first repurposed drug for COVID-19 treatment as the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) gave a permit on 19 June 2020 to Mumbai-based pharmaceutical Glenmark to manufacture it.

Recently, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir announced that he will be providing Fabiflu free of cost to people in east Delhi. He receives severe backlash as many patients and their family members complained of a shortage of the drug in medical stores called Gambhir responsible for it.

The Delhi High Court bench on April 27 asked if Gambhir has the license to procure the drug in such large quantities. Justices Rekha Palli and Vipin Sanghvi pointed asked Gambhir's counsel about the source from where he is getting the steroid.

Here's everything you should know about Fabiflu:

Glenmark's Fabiflu was among 25 drugs tested by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for treatment of COVID-19. The pharma company in its study stated that Fabiflu proved 88% effective on COVID-19 patients. However, the study wasn't peer-reviewed immediately.

What is the recommended dosage?

The drug originally used for treating flu was recommended to be given 1600 mg on the first day and 600 mg from the second to the fifth day. For COVID-19 treatment, Glenmark recommended that 1800 mg of the drug be given twice on the first day and then 800 mg doses twice every day for 14 days. The drug works against the virus by mutating RNA which in turn lessens the viral load in the body and improves the condition of the lungs.

What are the side effects?

So far there has been no evidence if Fabiflu weakens the immune system like other antiviral drugs, it can be looked at in the published report of Glenmark. An individual can take the drug only if a doctor prescribes it and the doctors usually prescribe other drugs along with it that can modulate the immune system and maintain it.

Who can take Fabiflu and who cannot?

According to Glenmark, the drug can be easily administered to patients with comorbidities in recommended doses. However, patients with severe kidney and liver diseases should not be prescribed the drug. Pregnant women with mild and moderate infection should also not take the drug. This includes any woman who has been pregnant even ones and lactating women. 

Read more about doctors' advice on COVID-19 concerns, here.