azvudine + rifampicin

Azvudine + rifampicin is an investigational oral combination of two small-molecule drugs: azvudine, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with additional RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitory activity, and rifampicin, a rifamycin-class antibiotic primarily used against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Azvudine is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 (in combination regimens) and received conditional approval for COVID-19 in China, with notable antiviral activity against HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and SARS-CoV-2[1][2][5][8]. Rifampicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that exerts its effects by inhibiting bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The combination is under investigation primarily to understand pharmacokinetic interactions, as rifampicin is a potent enzyme inducer that may alter the metabolism of co-administered drugs, including antivirals. A completed Phase I clinical study specifically investigated the interactions between azvudine tablets and rifampicin capsules, aiming to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics[7].