Researchers want to determine whether Favipiravir, an oral drug, is effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and shortening the duration of COVID-19.
Stanford Medicine researchers are launching a clinical trial to test whether an oral drug can reduce symptoms and viral shedding in people with COVID-19. The researchers aim to enroll 120 participants, beginning July 6, who have been recently diagnosed with the disease but not been hospitalized.
Favipiravir, an antiviral medication, was first approved to treat influenza in Japan. Researchers are hoping it will be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and in shortening the duration of COVID-19, which could help limit spread of the coronavirus, said Aruna Subramanian, MD, clinical professor of medicine.