ribavirin

noun

ri·​ba·​vi·​rin ˌrī-bə-ˈvī-rən How to pronounce ribavirin (audio)
: a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside C8H12N4O5

Examples of ribavirin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Health officials say treatment options may include an antiviral drug called ribavirin, which is most effective if given early on, and supportive therapy like painkillers and rehydration to help relieve symptoms. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024 Infections are treated with the antiviral drug ribavirin. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 The antiviral drug ribavirin has been successful in treating patients. Addy Bink, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024 There is no approved drug for RSV treatment other than the toxic, last resort drug ribavirin, which was not very effective in this lethal study compared to NV-387. Miami Herald, 4 June 2024 There is no cure for RSV, and no approved drug for treatment of RSV infection other than the toxic last-resort drug ribavirin. Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024 There is no drug approved for RSV treatment, except the last resort toxic drug ribavirin. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2024 He was prescribed a drug cocktail, a combination of interferon and ribavirin, that proved ineffective and gave him severe side effects. Abdullahi Tsanni, STAT, 29 June 2023 Interferon 1-b has generally been used to treat multiple sclerosis in the past, while lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin have been used to treat HIV and hepatitis C, respectively. Fox News, 11 May 2020

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from ribonucleic acid + virus + -in entry 1

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ribavirin was in 1974

Dictionary Entries Near ribavirin

Cite this Entry

“Ribavirin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribavirin. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

ribavirin

noun
ri·​ba·​vi·​rin ˌrī-bə-ˈvī-rən How to pronounce ribavirin (audio)
: a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral drug C8H12N4O5 that is a nucleoside resembling guanosine

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