remdesivir

[rem-des-uh-veer]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of remdesivir¹

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; adenosine ( def. )

Example Sentences

Rwanda has received 5,100 vials of remdesivir, an antiviral drug from Gilead Science used to combat Ebola in the past, to help fight the virus.

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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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There are two other antiviral treatments that doctors use much less frequently: remdesivir, or Veklury, which is given as an IV infusion to adults and children, and molnupiravir, known as Lagevrio, which is a pill that can be used to reduce the risk of severe disease in adults.

Read more on Seattle Times

In 2020, remdesivir was authorized for emergency use and then fully approved during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Remdesivir helps shorten time to recovery and reduces disease progression and mortality, but patients must visit a health care setting for IV administration.

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