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Ribavirin is used with an interferon medication such as peginterferon alfa-2a [Pegasys] or peginterferon alpha-2b [PEG-Intron]) to treat hepatitis C in people who have not been treated with an interferon before. Ribavirin is in a class of antiviral medications called nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the virus that causes hepatitis C from spreading inside the body. It is not known if treatment that includes ribavirin and another medication cures hepatitis C infection, prevents liver damage that may be caused by hepatitis C, or prevents the spread of hepatitis C to other people.

Usage directions

Ribavirin comes as a tablet, a capsule and an oral solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food twice a day, in the morning and the evening, for 24 to 48 weeks or longer. Take ribavirin at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ribavirin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Be sure to wash the measuring spoon or cup after use each time you measure the liquid.

Your doctor may decrease your dose or tell you to stop taking ribavirin if you develop side effects of the medication or if certain laboratory tests show that your condition has not improved. Call your doctor if you are bothered by side effects of ribavirin. Do not decrease your dose or stop taking ribavirin unless your doctor tells you that you should.

Other uses

Ribavirin is also sometimes used to treat viral hemorrhagic fevers (viruses that can cause bleeding inside and outside of the body, problems with many organs, and death). In the event of biological warfare, ribavirin may be used to treat viral hemorrhagic fever that has been spread deliberately. Ribavirin is also sometimes used to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS; a virus that may cause breathing problems, pneumonia, and death). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions

Before taking ribavirin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ribavirin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ribavirin tablets, capsules, or oral solution. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you are taking didanosine (Videx). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take ribavirin if you are taking this medication.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran); medications for anxiety, depression, or other mental illness; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) such as abacavir (Ziagen, in Atripla, in Trizivir), emtricitabine (Emtriva, in Atripla, in Truvada), lamivudine (Epivir, in Combivir, in Epzicom), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread, in Atripla, in Truvada), and zidovudine (Retrovir, in Combivir, in Trizivir); and medications that suppress the immune system such as cancer chemotherapy, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver failure, or autoimmune hepatitis (swelling of the liver that occurs when the immune system attacks the liver). Your doctor may tell you not to take ribavirin.
• tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs, if you have ever thought about killing yourself or planned or tried to do so, and if you have ever had a liver transplant or other organ transplant. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis (loss of contact with reality); cancer; HIV or AIDS; diabetes; sarcoidosis (a condition in which abnormal tissue grows in parts of the body such as the lungs); Gilbert's syndrome (a mild liver condition that may cause yellowing of the skin or eyes); gout (a type of arthritis caused by crystals deposited in the joints); any type of liver disease other than hepatitis C;or thyroid, pancreas, eye, or lung disease.
• tell your doctor if you have ever taken any medication to treat hepatitis C. Be sure that your doctor has your complete medical records and knows how well you responded to other treatments for hepatitis C.
• tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
• you should know that ribavirin may make you drowsy, dizzy, or confused. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• do not drink alcoholic beverages while you are taking ribavirin. Alcohol can make your liver disease worse.
• you should know that your mouth may be very dry when you take this medication, which can lead to problems with your teeth and gums. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and have regular dental exams. If vomiting occurs, rinse your mouth out thoroughly.

Food limitations and special diet when taking Ribavirin

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids while you are taking ribavirin.

Missed dose

If you remember the missed dose that same day, take the medication right away. However, if you do not remember the missed dose until the next day, call your doctor to find out what to do. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible side effects

Ribavirin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• cough
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• heartburn
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• changes in ability to taste food
• dry mouth
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• memory loss
• rash
• dry, irritated, or itchy skin
• sweating
• painful or irregular menstruation (period)
• muscle or bone pain
• hair loss

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• hives
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• pain in the stomach or lower back
• bloody diarrhea
• bright red blood in stools
• black, tarry stools
• stomach bloating
• confusion
• dark-colored urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vision changes
• fever, chills, and other signs of infection
• depression
• thinking about hurting or killing yourself
• mood changes
• excessive worry
• irritability
• starting to use street drugs or alcohol again if you used these substances in the past
• intolerance to cold

Ribavirin may slow growth and weight gain in children. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving this medication to your child.

Ribavirin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Storage and disposal of Ribavirin

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store ribavirin tablets and capsules at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store ribavirin oral solution in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.

Other important information

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about Copegus which does not cover all possible drug integrations, directions or precautions. Information at our website cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with his health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

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