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Description: A nucleoside antimetabolite antiviral agent that blocks nucleic acid synthesis and is used against both RNA and DNA viruses. [PubChem]
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Pharmacology: Ribavirin is an anti-viral drug active against a number of DNA and RNA viruses. It is a member of the nucleoside antimetabolite drugs that interfere with duplication of the viral genetic material. The drug inhibits the activity of the enzyme RNA dependent RNA polymerase, due to it's resemblence to building blocks of the RNA molecules. The oral form is used in the treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with interferon drugs. The aerosol form is used to treat respiratory syncytial virus-related diseases in children. The primary serious adverse effect of ribavirin is hemolytic anemia, which may worsen preexisting cardiac disease.
Mechanism of Action: Ribavirin is readily phosphorylated intracellularly by adenosine kinase to ribavirin mono-, di-, and triphosphate metabolites. Ribavirin triphosphate (RTP) is a potent competitive inhibitor of inosine monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase, viral RNA polymerase and messenger RNA (mRNA) guanylyltransferase (viral). Guanylyltranserase inhibition stops the capping of mRNA. These diverse effects result in a marked reduction of intracellular guanosine triphosphate (GTP) pools and inhibition of viral RNA and protein synthesis. Ribavirin is also incorporated into the viral genome causing lethal mutagenesis and a subsequent decrease in specific viral infectivity.
Indication: For the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Half Life: 9.5 hours
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Data Correlations | 3 studies

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Genes category icon Genes
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NT5C2 100 100
ADK 100 100
IMPDH1 100 100
ENPP1 100 100
IFI27 100 100
IFI44L 96 96
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Biogroups category icon Biogroups
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Peptidase M14, carboxypeptidase A 100 100
Interferon Gamma Pathway 99 99
Bromodomain 98 98
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 98 98
Interleukin 13 Pathway 98 98
MMP Cytokine Connection 98 98
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    Homo sapiens Homo sapiens | Therapeutic   Therapeutic

    The DrugBank database is a unique bioinformatics and cheminformatics resource that combines detailed drug (i.e. chemical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical) data with comprehensive drug target (i.e. sequence, structure, and pathway) information.

    Authors: David S Wishart, Craig Knox, An Chi Guo et al.

    Organization: Department of Computing Science, Univers…
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Associated Researchers

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Thought leaders and organizations working on research involving ribavirin.

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  • Stefan Zeuzem
  • Jay H Hoofnagle
  • Thomas Berg
  • K Rajender Reddy
  • Massimo Colombo
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  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
  • Human Genome Sciences
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDD…
  • U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
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  • Duke University
  • Medical University
  • Saarland University Hospital
  • University of Milan
  • Università degli Studi di Milano

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