Description

Favipiravir is a drug with a mechanism of action different from that of the existing influenza antiviral drugs and effective against all types and sub-types of human influenza A, B and C viruses in vitro, showing anti-viral activity against various influenza virus strains including avian and swine viruses. Favipiravir also has shown anti-viral activity even against amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir-resistant influenza viruses in vitro. The mechanism of action of favipiravir is the selective inhibition of RNA polymerase by favipiravir ribosyl triphosphate formed by cellular enzymes in the influenza virus leading to antiviral activity.