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Drug Profile: Favipiravir
Favipiravir is an antiviral drug that has selectively been used to inhibit the RNA-dependent RNA polymerases of influenza viruses. Its active form, favipiravir-ribofuranosyl-5'-triphosphate (RTP), is formed by phosphoribosylation by cellular enzymes. By inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, the drug is able to inhibit replication because the viruses are unable to create additional copies of their genomes.
In addition to influenza, it has been suggested to have potential to treat infections with arenaviruses, bunyaviruses, flaviviruses, alphaviruses, picornaviruses, and noroviruses. This drug has promise for the future to be used as a treatment for RNA viral infections (in addition to drugs like ribavirin).
Selected Page Bibliography:
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"Favipiravir (T-705), a novel viral RNA polymerase inhibitor." Furuta et al. Antiviral Research, Volume 100, Issue 2, November 2013, Pages 446-454. doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.09.015
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