Basic Chemical Information

• Chemical Name: Tenofovir

• Molecular Formula: C9H14N5O4P

• Molecular Weight: 287.21 g/mol

• CAS Number: 147127-20-6

  
  

Pharmacological Action

Therapeutic Effects

Tenofovir is an antiretroviral medication commonly used to treat HIV/AIDS and chronic hepatitis B. It is notably a key component of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens.

Mechanism of Action

Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Once inside the body, it is converted to the active metabolite tenofovir diphosphate. This metabolite competes with deoxyadenosine 5′-triphosphate (the natural substrate) for incorporation into viral DNA by the reverse transcriptase enzyme. When incorporated, it causes chain termination, thereby inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, which prevents the virus from multiplying and spreading.