ribavirin

American  

[rahy-buh-vahy-rin] / ˈraɪ bəˌvaɪ rɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic compound, C 8 H 1 2 N 4 O 5 , active against several DNA and RNA viruses.

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Etymology

Origin of ribavirin

1965–70; probably by shortening and alteration of ribofuranosyl, a component of its chemical name ( see ribose, furan, -ose ², -yl) + vir(us) + -in ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ribavirin

Before powerful hepatitis C drugs arrived in recent years, doctors frequently used a pill known as ribavirin as part of combination therapy to treat hepatitis C patients.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 13, 2021

Unfortunately, not only did the steroid and ribavirin combination fail as therapy, it might have worsened some patients’ outcomes.

From Slate ● May 13, 2020

There is no vaccine and no definitive cure, although an antiviral drug, ribavirin, can be helpful if given early.

From New York Times ● Feb. 16, 2018

Moreover, the continued need for interferon and ribavirin, with their attendant side effects, was a huge drawback.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 4, 2014

I chose treatment, specifically three self-administered interferon injections each week and two ribavirin pills each day, for a year.

From Washington Post