Treatment Moderate Covid-19 by Favipiravir and Azithromycin in Indonesia: Lesson Learnt for Safety and Effectiveness

Aims: It is anticipated that adding favipiravir, one of the promising antivirals, to Azithromycin will be able to eradicate SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using Azithromycin and favipiravir together to treat patients with confirmed moderate COVID-19. Methods: Patients with moderate symptoms who were proven to be positive for COVID-19 were included in the experimental, intervention, randomized, open-label trial. Results: Out of the 200 subjects that were originally planned, 130 were recruited. Based on "symptom-free and negative PCR" on day 7 by Intention To Treat (ITT), the efficacy of Azithromycin with favipiravir was found to be 10.61% vs 3.12%, although not significantly different (P=0.3608) from Azithromycin alone. The most frequent side effects of both medications, which are safe and well-tolerated, are headache and diarrhea. Conclusion: The study's conclusion was that Azithromycin + favipiravir was equally as effective as Azithromycin by itself. Despite their poor efficacy, both therapy methods are well-tolerated and safe.