Viraflu

Generic Name: Favipiravir 200 mg
Dosage Form: Tablet
TG Name: Antiviral

1. What VIRAFLU is and what it is used for
VIRAFLU is the preparation of favipiravir in a tablet form. Favipiravir is a modified pyrazine analog that was initially approved for therapeutic use in resistant cases of influenza.

Uses:
Novel or re-emerging influenza virus infections (limited to cases in which other anti-influenza virus agents are not effective or insufficiently effective).

2. Precautions:

VIRAFLU is a drug the use of which is considered only when there is an outbreak of novel or re-emerging influenza virus infections in which other anti-influenza virus agents are not effective or insufficiently effective, and the government decides to use the drug as a countermeasure against such influenza viruses. When administering the drug, obtain the latest information including government’s direction of countermeasures against such influenza viruses, and prescribe only to appropriate patients.

3. Possible side effects:

Major adverse reactions included increase of blood uric acid level (4.79%), diarrhoea (4.79%), decrease of neutrophil count (1.80%), increase of AST (GOT) (1.80%), increase of ALT (GPT) (1.60%).

4. Special population:

Use in the Elderly:
Since the elderly often have reduced physiological functions, VIRAFLU should be administered with care to them by monitoring their general conditions.

Use during Pregnancy and Lactation:
Do not administer VIRAFLU to women known or suspected to be pregnant.
When administering VIRAFLU to lactating women, instruct to stop lactating.

Pediatric Use:
VIRAFLU has not been administered to children.

5. How to take VIRAFLU:

Always take the medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed.
The usual dosage of favipiravir for adults is 1600 mg orally twice daily for 1 day followed by 600 mg orally twice daily for 4 days. The total administration period should be 5 days.