Emivirine

Emivirine is a small molecule antiviral drug that was developed as a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) for the treatment of HIV infection. Structurally, it is a uracil derivative and belongs to the hydroxyethyl phenyl thymine (HEPT) series of NNRTIs. Although its structure resembles nucleoside analogs, emivirine acts by binding directly and noncompetitively to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, thereby inhibiting viral replication. It demonstrated potent and selective anti-HIV activity in preclinical studies and early clinical trials but was ultimately discontinued from development due to rapid induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes (notably cytochrome P450), which led to problematic drug interactions. Emivirine reached phase 3 clinical trials for HIV infections but was not approved or marketed[1][2][3][4][5][7][8].

Brand names

Coactinon

Other names

6-benzyl-1-(ethoxymethyl)-5-isopropyluracil1-(ethoxymethyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-6-(phenylmethyl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dioneemivirine