Early research suggests the heart failure drug spironolactone hinders infection from the Epstein-Barr virus, a pathogen linked to mono and different types of cancer.

Spironolactone is a “potassium-sparing diuretic” that prevents potassium levels from dropping too low and ensures the body doesn’t absorb excess levels of salt. Congestive heart failure patients also take the drug to treat fluid retention.

University of Utah scientists discovered that spironolactone blocks infection during a screening for potential antivirals that use a treatment mechanism different from current medications.

Read more at Drug Discovery & Development.