Abstract: International Journal of Applied Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends ( IJASCFRT ) ISSN (Print) , ISSN (Online) © International Scientific Research and Researchers Association https://ijascfrtjournal.isrra.org/index.php/Applied_Sciences_Journal Efficacy of Favipiravir in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Patients in Erbil: A Controlled Clinical Trial Hiwa Khalid Qadira*, Hama Nejm Jaff b, Hemin Khalid Saberc a Internist, Respiratory Medicine, Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specialties, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq ,44001 b MBChB., D.T.M., M.R.C.P., F.C.C.P., F.R.C.P., Consultant Internist, Rizgary Teaching Hospital, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, 44001 b Professor at Department of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, College of Medicine. Erbil Kurdistan Region, Iraq,44001 c M.B.Ch.B. F.I.C.M.S(med ,F.K.M.S(resp), Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq ,44001 a Email: drhiwa_76@yahoo.com, bEmail: hamanejmjaff@yahoo.comm, cEmail: hemin76@gmail.com Abstract Background and objectives: Favipiravir (FAV) is considered to have potential efficacy against the SARSCoV-2 virus. We aimed to explore the efficacy of favipiravir in the treatment of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: 250 patients of mild and moderate COVID-19 patients confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were included from 22nd of June 2020 till 25th of October 2021, aged 18 to 90 years, 125 patients received FAV 3200 mg no day 1 followed by 600 mg twice daily (from day 2 –day 10). In another group, 125 patients did not receive favipiravir (SOC, standard of care group). They received paracetamol, vitamins D, and C plus Zinc, and azithromycin within the first 10 days of symptoms’ onset. In both groups, the patients were monitored for clinical recovery on the 5 th,10th, 15th days and after one month of receiving the therapeutic trials. Patients were enrolled from Rizgari Teaching Hospital, and from an outpatient respiratory private clinic. Both arms were comparable as regards demographic characteristics, severity, and comorbidities. It was a non-randomized –controlled trial. Results: On day five, the rate of clinical improvement in the FAV group (74.4%) was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the rate in the SOC group (12.8%). On day 10, the mentioned rate was 88.8% in the FAV group compared with 47.2% in the SOC group (p < 0.001). The median time of clinical recovery was 6.5 days in the FAV group vs. -----------------------------------------------------------------------* Corresponding author. 228 International Journal of Applied Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends (IJASCFRT) (2022) Volume13, No 1, pp 228-235 10.5 days in the SOC group. The rate of hospitalization in the FAV group was 11.2% compared with 28% in the SOC group. (P < 0.001). None of the patients of the FAV group died within 30 days, compared with 13.6% of patients in the SOC group. Conclusions: Favipiravir was superior to the SOC in shortening the time to clinical improvement in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. As well as in decreasing the hospitalization rate, and mortality rate within the first month post-infection. Keywords: COVID-19; Favipiravir; Oral antiviral agent; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment efficacy.