remdesivir

American  

[rem-des-uh-veer] / ˌrɛmˈdɛs ə vɪər /

noun

1. an antiviral medicine, first used to fight the Ebola virus, that prevents an RNA-based virus from reproducing within an infected cell by blocking it from replicating its viral genome.

   The hunt was on to find older antiviral drugs like remdesivir that could be repurposed to treat the new virus.

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Etymology

Origin of remdesivir

First recorded in 2015–20; rem- prefix of unknown origin + -desi- infix, probably an alteration of adenosine , designating an adenosine analog + -vir shortening of virus or viral , a combining form designating an antiviral compound; see adenosine ( def. )

Example Sentences

There are also other anti-COVID medications that are available, such as remdesivir, which is given intravenously, and molnupiravir, which is given orally, like Paxlovid.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2024

Like remdesivir, obeldesivir could continue to be tested in humans for effectiveness and, if appropriate, rapidly deployed against susceptible novel coronaviruses that might emerge.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2024

If you can’t take Paxlovid, the drug remdesivir could be an option, but it has to be delivered intravenously, so it’s less convenient and harder to obtain.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2024

Dr Mark Faghy said the nine-month project would test remdesivir, which had been used to treat acute Covid.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2023

Sales of the hospital-administered drug also know as remdesivir plunged 63% to $573 million for the quarter, well off analysts' estimates of $697.6 million.

From Reuters • Apr. 27, 2023