Favipiravir is an antiviral medication that inhibits the influenza virus's RNA polymerase. RNA polymerase is an enzyme that allows the virus to replicate and spread. Favipiravir inhibits RNA polymerase, which prevents the virus from replicating and spreading. Favipiravir is a prodrug, which means it is converted to its active form, favipiravir-ribofuranosyl-5'-triphosphate (favipiravir-RTP), in the body. Favipiravir-RTP then inhibits RNA polymerase by competing with its natural substrate, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This competition keeps the virus from incorporating new nucleotides into its RNA, preventing it from replicating. Favipiravir works against both influenza A and B viruses. It is also effective against some...
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