Question:easy
What is the mechanism of action of Oseltamivir?
What is the mechanism of action of Oseltamivir?
Show Hint
Oseltamivir blocks the enzyme that releases new influenza virions.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Protein synthesis inhibitor
- Thymidylate synthetase inhibitor
- Neuraminidase inhibitor
- Pyrimidine analog
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Influenza virus uses the surface enzyme neuraminidase to cleave sialic acid and let new virus particles detach from the host cell so they can infect neighbouring cells.
Step 2: Oseltamivir is built to mimic sialic acid, so it slots into the neuraminidase active site and reversibly competes with the natural substrate.
Step 3: With the enzyme blocked, freshly made virions cannot be released. They stick to each other and to the cell membrane, which halts the spread of infection.
Step 4: This is purely an antiviral enzyme inhibition, not bacterial protein synthesis blockade, not folate pathway inhibition, and not a nucleoside analog action. So the answer is neuraminidase inhibitor.
\[\boxed{\text{Neuraminidase inhibitor}}\]
Step 2: Oseltamivir is built to mimic sialic acid, so it slots into the neuraminidase active site and reversibly competes with the natural substrate.
Step 3: With the enzyme blocked, freshly made virions cannot be released. They stick to each other and to the cell membrane, which halts the spread of infection.
Step 4: This is purely an antiviral enzyme inhibition, not bacterial protein synthesis blockade, not folate pathway inhibition, and not a nucleoside analog action. So the answer is neuraminidase inhibitor.
\[\boxed{\text{Neuraminidase inhibitor}}\]
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