Ribavirin is a 1-ribosyltriazole that is the 1-ribofuranosyl derivative of 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide. A synthetic guanosine analogue, it is an inhibitor of HCV polymerase and possesses a broad spectrum of activity against DNA and RNA viruses. It has a role as an antimetabolite, an antiviral agent, an antiinfective agent, an EC 2.7.7.49 (RNA-directed DNA polymerase) inhibitor and an anticoronaviral agent. It is a 1-ribosyltriazole, an aromatic amide, a monocarboxylic acid amide and a primary carboxamide. It is functionally related to a 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide.