Molnupiravir is an orally bioavailable isopropylester cytidine analog used to treat COVID-19. Molnupiravir (EIDD-2801, MK-4482) is the isopropylester prodrug of N4-hydroxycytidine.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 3 references
Molnupiravir is hydrolyzed in vivo to N4-hydroxycytidine, which is phosphorylated in tissue to the active 5’-triphosphate form, and incorporated into the genome of new virions, resulting in the accumulation of inactivating mutations, known as viral error catastrophe. A remdesivir resistant mutant mouse hepatitis virus has also been shown to have increased sensitivity to N4-hydroxycytidine.
- Primary indication
- N4-hydroxycytidine and its prodrug molnupiravir are being studied for its activity against a number of viral infections including influenza, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C13H19N3O7 · 329.309 g/mol (avg)
- Code names
- EIDD 1931-ISOPROPYL ESTER · EIDD-2801 · MK-4482 · WHO 11853
Resolves to
HTNPEHXGEKVIHG-QCNRFFRDSA-NSMILESCC(C)C(=O)OC[C@H]1O[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H]1O)N1C=C\C(NC1=O)=N\OWhat you can answer from here — as of July 08, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Molnupiravir, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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