uridine triacetate

Uridine triacetate is an orally administered acetylated prodrug of uridine. It is FDA-approved for two distinct primary indications: the emergency treatment of adult and pediatric patients following a fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine overdose, or those exhibiting early-onset, severe, or life-threatening toxicity (marketed as Vistogard); and the treatment of hereditary orotic aciduria (marketed as Xuriden). As an antidote to fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy, it works by delivering high systemic levels of uridine, which competes with the toxic metabolite fluorouridine triphosphate (F-UTP) for incorporation into RNA, thereby preventing cellular injury in normal tissues. In hereditary orotic aciduria, it serves as a replacement for the uridine that patients cannot synthesize de novo due to a genetic deficiency. The drug was originally developed by Wellstat Therapeutics and is currently owned by SERB Pharmaceuticals, with U.S. marketing handled by its subsidiary BTG Pharmaceuticals.

Brand names

VistogardXuriden

Other names

2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyluridinetriacetyluridine