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Efficacy and Safety of Favipiravir and Ribavirin Formulation for Treatment of COVID-19

An Open-Label, Multicenter, Parallel-Group, Randomized, Phase II/III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Favipiravir and Ribavirin Formulation for Treatment of COVID-19

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04828564
Acronym
COVID-19
Enrollment
100
Registered
2021-04-02
Start date
2021-04-30
Completion date
2021-12-31
Last updated
2021-04-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

COVID-19, SARS-CoV2

Brief summary

This is a national, multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase II/III trial that evaluates the efficacy and safety of favipiravir and ribavirin in the treatment of patients with confirmed COVID-19 observed within 72 hours. Approximately 100 patients will be randomized in 1:1 ratio and divided into two groups.

Detailed description

The clinical picture of COVID-19 disease is in a broad spectrum, which includes asymptomatic infection, a mild upper respiratory tract infection, respiratory failure, and even severe viral pneumonia with death. The alarming levels of spread and severity of COVID-19 caused a global emergency and this outbreak has been characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Coronavirus entry into host cells is an important determinant of viral infectivity and pathogenesis. SARS-CoV S1 contains a receptor-binding domain (RBD) that specifically recognizes angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as its receptor. SARS-CoV spike needs to be proteolytically activated at the S1/S2 boundary, such that S1 dissociates and S2 undergoes a dramatic structural change. These SARS-CoV entry-activating proteases include cell surface protease TMPRSS2 and lysosomal proteases cathepsins. These features of SARS-CoV entry contribute to its rapid spread and severe symptoms and high fatality rates of infected patients. Ribavirin is a guanosine analog that interferes with the replication of RNA and DNA viruses. Ribavirin was used during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in combination with corticosteroids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. Favipiravir is a substrate for viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and showed anti-influenza virus activity. Favipiravir is effective against other RNA viruses, poliovirus, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus and evaluated and developed as a broad spectrum anti-RNA virus drug, including lethal RNA virus infections. According to national guidelines, Favipiravir treatment is applied to COVID-19 infection in Turkey. The main purpose of this study is to obtain efficacy and safety data for ribavirin and favipiravir in the Turkish patient cohort diagnosed with COVID-19. This study designed as an open-label, multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, phase II/III clinical drug trial. This study will be conducted in 4 sites.

Interventions

DRUGRibavirin Capsules

Ribavirin 200 mg capsules

DRUGFavipiravir

Favipiravir 200 mg tablets

Sponsors

Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
CollaboratorOTHER
Istanbul Umraniye Training and Research Hospital
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Koç University
CollaboratorOTHER
Monitor CRO
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Female or male patients aged 18 years and older infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. * Patients that have COVID-19 symptoms within 72 hours and have a positive PCR test result. * Patients in a stable clinical condition and referred as outpatient for COVID-19 infection. * Patients who sign the informed consent before the any study procedures.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who have required hospitalization. * Patients who have required intensive care. * Patients who do not sign the informed consent. * Any condition that in the investigator's judgement might interfere with study procedures or the ability of the patient to adhere to and complete the study. * Patients who have been participating in any other clinical trial. * Severe liver failure (Child Pugh score ≥ C, transaminase\>5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). * Severe renal failure (GFR ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2) or continuous dialysis (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis) or continuous renal replacement therapy. * Severe cardiac disease. * History of hypersensitivity to either ribavirin/favipiravir. * Pregnant or breast-feeding. * Patients who cannot use appropriate contraceptive method during and after the study. * Patients who are treated with any other treatment agent for COVID-19 in the last 90 days. * Patients who had COVID-19 vaccination. * Patients who had ribavirin/favipiravir for any reason in the past 72 hours.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Hospitalized patient rates15 daysThe number of hospitalized patients

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Time from randomization to relief of symptoms15 daysThe duration (days) from start of treatment to relief of clinical symptoms
Viral clearance15 daysThe day of viral clearance evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
Changes in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor levels15 daysDetection of RNA and/or protein levels of ACE2 gene in plasma samples via quantitative RT-PCR and/or flow cytometry
Changes in transmembrane protease serine II (TMPRSS2) activity15 daysAssessment of proteolytic activity of TMPRSS2
Emergency room visit rates of patients15 daysThe number of emergency room visits of patients (not hospitalized)
Time to emergency room visit15 daysThe time (days) until the emergency room visit
Mortality rate15 daysAll-cause mortality rate
Inpatient length of stay15 daysLength of stay in the hospital (days)
Time to ICU admission15 daysThe time (days) until admission to intensive care unit
Time to intubation15 daysThe time (days) until intubation
Family members rates with PCR positive test results15 daysThe number of family members with PCR positive
Changes in vital signs from baseline15 daysClinical evaluation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, fever, oxygen saturation changes from baseline until the end of study
Number/characteristics of AEs and SAEs28 daysNumber/characteristics of Adverse Event (AE) and Serious Adverse Event (SAE) related to study drug or hematological and biochemical parameters from baseline until the end of study
Time to hospitalization15 daysThe time (days) until the hospitalization

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

Primary ContactAlpay Azap, MD, Prof
azap@medicine.ankara.edu.tr+90 312 508 2681

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026