Ribavirin: Pharmacology, multiple modes of action and possible future perspectives

Abstract

Ribavirin is a unique guanosine analog with broad-spectrum activity against many RNA and DNA viruses. In addition to its mutational properties, ribavirin exerts extensive perturbation of cellular and viral gene expression. Furthermore, recent advances indicate that the impact of ribavirin on divergent cellular and viral pathways may be concentration dependent. This review aims at providing an overview of the pharmacology and multiple modes of action of ribavirin as well as pointing to possible novel future uses.