Chemical Name: Ribavirin Molecular Formula: C8H12N4O5 Molecular Weight: 244.2 g/mol CAS Number: 36791-04-5
Pharmacological Actions
Mechanism of Action:
Ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue that exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Its primary mechanism involves:
Inhibition of Viral RNA Synthesis: Ribavirin is incorporated into viral RNA, leading to mutations that impede the virus's ability to proliferate.
Inhibition of Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPDH): By inhibiting this enzyme, ribavirin decreases the intracellular pool of guanosine triphosphate (GTP), which is crucial for viral RNA synthesis.
Immunomodulatory Effects: It promotes a host antiviral immune response by enhancing the production of interferons and other cytokines.
