An oral short-course antiviral capsule used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk adults.
Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) is an oral short-course antiviral capsule used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk adults. It belongs to the Antiviral nucleoside analogue class.
12.1 Mechanism of Action Molnupiravir is a prodrug with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. It is metabolized to the cytidine nucleoside analogue, NHC which distributes into cells where NHC is phosphorylated to form the pharmacologically active ribonucleoside triphosphate (NHC-TP). NHC-TP incorporation (as NHC-monophosphate [NHC-MP]) into SARS-CoV-2 RNA by the viral RNA polymerase (nsp12) results in an accumulation of errors in the viral genome leading to inhibition of replication. The mechanism of action (known as viral error catastrophe or viral lethal mutagenesis) is supported by biochemical and cell culture data, studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal models, and analyses of SARS-…
Sources: drug label, approval and manufacturer data from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. This page is a plain-English summary for general information and is not medical advice. It is not exhaustive and may not reflect the latest label — always consult the official prescribing information and your clinician or pharmacist. Brand availability, indications and approvals differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions.