vidarabine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “vidarabine” mean?
An antiviral drug derived from a nucleoside, used to treat viral eye infections.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An antiviral drug derived from a nucleoside, used to treat viral eye infections.
A purine nucleoside analogue with antiviral activity, primarily against herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses, used in topical ophthalmic formulations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling, usage, or pronunciation. It is a technical drug name used identically in both medical communities.
Connotations
None beyond its clinical denotation.
Frequency
Used with equal rarity in both British and American medical English, primarily in ophthalmology and virology.
Grammar
How to Use “vidarabine” in a Sentence
[Prescribe/Use/Apply] vidarabine [for/against] {infection/condition}Vidarabine is [effective/indicated] for {condition}Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “vidarabine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The vidarabine formulation requires refrigeration.
- We studied the vidarabine mechanism of action.
American English
- The vidarabine ointment is applied five times daily.
- A vidarabine-based treatment was effective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in pharmacology, virology, and medical research papers discussing antiviral treatments.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in clinical settings, medical prescriptions, pharmaceutical literature, and ophthalmology guidelines.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “vidarabine”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “vidarabine”
- Misspelling as 'vindarabine', 'vidarabin'.
- Using it as a general term for any antiviral medicine.
- Incorrect pluralization (it is a non-count noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily used as a topical ophthalmic ointment to treat viral eye infections like herpes simplex keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis.
Its use has declined in many settings due to the development of newer, more convenient antivirals (e.g., trifluridine, oral valacyclovir), but it remains an option in specific cases or where other treatments are unsuitable.
It is administered topically to the eye, typically as a 3% ophthalmic ointment applied several times a day.
Vidarabine is a nucleoside analogue that inhibits viral DNA synthesis, thereby preventing the replication of DNA viruses like herpes simplex and varicella-zoster.
An antiviral drug derived from a nucleoside, used to treat viral eye infections.
Vidarabine is usually technical / medical in register.
Vidarabine: in British English it is pronounced /vɪˈdær.ə.biːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /vɪˈdɛr.ə.biːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'VID'eo game → something you see → used for EYE infections. 'ARABINE' sounds like a chemical name. So, 'vidarabine' is the chemical for the eyes.
Conceptual Metaphor
None applicable. It is a literal, technical term.
Practice
Quiz
Vidarabine is primarily classified as what type of agent?