Favipiravir induce cutaneous adverse reactions in COVID-19-infected patients.

Punyaratabandhu, P; Vanitchpongphan, S

Favipiravir has been used for treatment of COVID-19 in many countries. To determine Favipiravir induced cutaneous adverse reactions in COVID-19-infected patients, we observed COVID-19-infected patients who were hospitalized at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, a principal centre of emerging infectious disease in Thailand, and presented with cutaneous eruption following Favipiravir prescription. There were 5 cases of Favipiravir induced cutaneous adverse reactions; 2 patients with maculopapular rash, 2 with urticarial rash, and one with Steven-Johnson Syndrome. Median duration between Favipiravir treatment and rash occurrence was 7 days. Mean duration of the rash was 5 days. This findings highlighted that Favipiravir induced cutaneous adverse eruptions in COVID-19-infected patients. Drug allergy should be aware and excluded as a cause of the rash during the treatment of COVID-19.