Aim. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness, safety and compare the incidence of hospitalization during treatment with antiviral drugs with a direct mechanism of action (riamilovir and umifenovir) in people with acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) in an outpatient setting. Materials and methods. The study included 150 outpatients with ARVI aged 18–27 years: 50 patients received riamilovir 250 mg 3 times a day for 5 days, the second group included 50 patients who received umifenovir 200 mg 4 times a day for 5 days, 50 individuals received only pathogenetic treatment. Results. The use of direct-acting antiviral drugs was characterized by the least severity of pain and aches in the body, general weakness, and in the group of patients receiving riamilovir, the lowest severity of rhinitis, cough, and the lowest morning body temperature were recorded compared to other groups. In riamilovir group reduction in the duration of the disease was observed. The lowest frequency of ARVI pathogens detection was observed on the 6th day in riamilovir group. Outpatient treatment with riamilovir was accompanied by a minimal number of cases of the disease requiring hospitalization. Conclusion. The use of direct antiviral drugs contributes to the rapid relief of ARVI symptoms in patients receiving medical care on an outpatient basis. The antiviral drug riamilovir showed the most pronounced effectiveness (clinical and laboratory).