ritonavir

noun

ri·​to·​na·​vir ˌrī-ˈtō-nə-ˌvir 

-ˈtä-,

ri-

: an antiviral drug C₃₇H₄₈N₆O₅S₂ that is a protease inhibitor administered orally in conjunction with other agents to treat viral infections (such as HIV infection and hepatitis C)

Examples of ritonavir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rest of the group took a placebo with ritonavir, which doesn't work against the SARS-CoV-2 virus on its own. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 7 June 2024

In other words, medication crystals like those in ritonavir can be grown larger and more structurally sound than is typically possible here on Earth. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024

Once in low-Earth orbit, its mini-lab autonomously grew crystals of the common HIV treatment drug ritonavir. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024

The treatment consists of two medications: nirmatrelvir, which blocks a key enzyme that the Covid virus needs to replicate, and ritonavir, which boosts the first medication’s ability to fight the infection. —Annika Kim Constantino, NBC News, 25 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

rito- (perhaps by shortening & alteration from protease) + -navir (as in saquinavir)

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ritonavir

noun

ri·​to·​na·​vir ˌrī-ˈtō-nə-ˌvir, -ˈtän-ə-, ri- 

: a protease inhibitor C₃₇H₄₈N₆O₅S₂ that is administered orally in conjunction with other agents (such as lopinavir or nirmatrelvir) to treat viral infections (such as HIV infection, hepatitis C, or COVID-19)

Note: Trademarks for preparations containing ritonavir include Norvir and Paxlovid.