ribavirin

noun

ri·​ba·​vi·​rin ˌrī-bə-ˈvī-rən 

: a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside C₈H₁₂N₄O₅

Examples of ribavirin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Medical Definition

ribavirin

noun

ri·​ba·​vi·​rin ˌrī-bə-ˈvī-rən 

: a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral drug C₈H₁₂N₄O₅ that is a nucleoside resembling guanosine