Tecovirimat
Tecovirimat
Tecovirimat (pronounced te-co-vi-ri-mat) is an antiviral medication used for the treatment of smallpox. It is the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of smallpox. Though the disease has been eradicated worldwide, tecovirimat provides a critical tool for responding to potential smallpox outbreaks due to bioterrorism or accidental release.
Etymology
The name "Tecovirimat" is derived from the drug's mechanism of action. "Teco" refers to its role as a tecovirus inhibitor, "vir" signifies its antiviral properties, and "mat" is a common suffix for antiviral medications.
Mechanism of Action
Tecovirimat works by inhibiting the formation of virus particles in an infected cell. It specifically targets the p37 protein, which is essential for the virus to spread to other cells. By blocking this protein, tecovirimat prevents the virus from multiplying and spreading throughout the body.
Related Terms
- Antiviral drug: A type of medication used to treat viral infections. Tecovirimat is a specific type of antiviral drug used to treat smallpox.
- Smallpox: A highly contagious and deadly disease caused by the variola virus. Tecovirimat is used to treat smallpox.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The U.S. government agency responsible for the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, cosmetics, and veterinary products. The FDA approved tecovirimat for the treatment of smallpox.
- Bioterrorism: The use of biological agents with the intent to harm or kill. Smallpox is considered a potential bioterrorism threat, and tecovirimat could be used in response to a smallpox outbreak resulting from bioterrorism.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tecovirimat
- Wikipedia's article - Tecovirimat
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