Molnupiravir

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug that is currently under investigation for its potential use in the treatment of COVID-19. It was developed by the pharmaceutical companies Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

History[edit | edit source]

Molnupiravir was initially developed for the treatment of influenza. It was discovered by scientists at Emory University and is based on the compound N4-hydroxycytidine. The drug works by introducing errors into the RNA of the virus, which prevents the virus from replicating.

Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]

In 2020, Molnupiravir entered Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19. Preliminary results from these trials have shown that the drug may reduce the duration of infectiousness for individuals with COVID-19.

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

Molnupiravir works by introducing errors into the RNA of the virus, which prevents the virus from replicating. This is achieved through the drug's active metabolite, EIDD-2801, which is incorporated into the virus's RNA.

Potential Side Effects[edit | edit source]

As with any drug, Molnupiravir may have potential side effects. These can include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. However, these side effects are generally mild and temporary.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Molnupiravir Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD