Favipiravir induced nephrotoxicity in two patients of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

This paper reports two cases of AKI with favipiravir induced nephrotoxicity. Patient 1 38-year male, confirmed reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction positive (RT-PCR) positive for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) and moderate pneumonia was given hydroxy-chloroquinine (HCQ) 400 mg BID followed by 200 mg BID for 10 days and favipiravir at 1600 mg BID followed by 600 mg BID for 5 days. Patient 2 51-year male RT-PCR positive, severe COVID-19 was started on HCQ and favipiravir at same dose as in patient one along with methylprednisolone 40 mg BID for days and enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneous once daily. In conclusion, the authors believe as many repurposed drugs are being used for COVID-19 on experimental and compassionate basis without well conducted research, the clinicians need to be very careful of any new adverse event. The AKI like in any other patient needs comprehensive review for all possible etiology before linking it to COVID-19.