Ribavirin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine is Ribavirin?

What is ribavirin for?

This drug is an antiviral drug used in combination with interferon to treat ongoing hepatitis C. Long-term hepatitis C infection causes swelling of the liver which can lead to serious liver conditions such as scarring, cancer, and organ failure. Ribavirin works by reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in your body, which can help restore your liver. However, this medicine is not a cure for hepatitis C infection, and does not prevent the spread of Hepatitis C to other people through sexual contact or blood contamination (for example, sharing needles).

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This drug can also be used to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

How is ribavirin used?

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using Ribavirin and each time you get a refill. If you have questions about drug information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily with meals for 24 to 48 weeks. This drug must be swallowed whole. Do not crush, break or chew the capsules.

The dosage and length of treatment depend on your age, body weight, medical condition, and response to therapy.

Antiviral drugs work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals. You need to remember to use it at the same time every day.

Drink plenty of water while having treatment with this medicine. This will reduce the risk of serious side effects.

How is ribavirin stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Ribavirin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of ribavirin for adults?

Normal dosage for adults with chronic hepatitis C:

Capsules, direct drinking fluids - in combination with penginterferon alpha-2b:

Less than 66 kg: 400 mg orally twice a day

66-80 kg: 400 mg taken by mouth in the morning and 600 mg at night

81-105 kg: 600 mg orally twice a day

Greater than 105 kg: 600 mg taken by mouth in the morning and 800 mg at night

Duration of therapy:

• Interferon alpha-naive patient with genotype 1: 48 weeks
• Interferon alpha-naive patients with genotypes 2 and 3: 24 weeks
• retreatment with alpha-2b / Ribavirin interferon with previous treatment failure: 48 weeks, regardless of HCV genotype

In combination with interferon alfa-2b:

75 kg or less: 400 mg taken by mouth in the morning and 600 mg at night

Greater than 75 kg: 600 mg orally twice a day

Duration of therapy:

• Interferon alpha-naive patients: 24 to 48 weeks
• retreatment with interferon alfa-2b / Ribavirin in patients who have relapsed after nonpegylated interferon monotherapy: 24 weeks

Tablets - in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a:

• genotypes 1 and 4 in patients less than 75 kg: 1000 mg / day orally in 2 divided doses for 48 weeks
• genotypes 1 and 4 in patients 75 kg or more: 1200 mg / day orally in 2 divided doses for 48 weeks
• genotypes 2 and 3: 800 mg / day orally in 2 divided doses for 24 weeks
• genotypes 5 and 6: Inadequate data to make recommendations
• patients coinfected with HIV: 800 mg / day orally in 2 divided doses for 48 weeks, regardless of HCV genotype

What is the dose of ribavirin for children?

Normal Dosage for Children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus:

20 mg / mL as a drug reservoir solution for the SPAG-2 Unit, with continuous aerosol administration for 12 to 18 hours per day for 3 to 7 days.

Normal Dosage for Children with Chronic Hepatitis C:

Capsules, straight drink solution

3 years or older:

In combination with penginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b: 15 mg / kg taken directly per day in 2 divided doses

BUDGET Ribavirin by weight:

Less than 47 kg: 15 mg / kg (oral solution) orally per day in 2 divided doses

47-59 kg: 400 mg orally twice a day

60-73 kg: 400 mg taken by mouth in the morning and 600 mg at night

Greater than 73 kg: 600 mg orally twice a day

Duration of therapy:

• genotype 1: 48 weeks
• genotypes 2 and 3: 24 weeks

TABLET:

5 years or older:

In combination with peginterferon alfa-2a:

23-33 kg: 200 mg orally twice a day

34-46 kg: 200 mg taken by mouth in the morning and 400 mg at night

47-59 kg: 400 mg orally twice a day

60-74 kg: 400 mg taken by mouth in the morning and 600 mg at night

75 kg or more: 600 mg orally twice a day

Duration of therapy:

• genotypes 2 and 3: 24 weeks
• other genotypes: 48 weeks

In what dosage is ribavirin available?

200 mg tablet.

Ribavirin side effects

What side effects can ribavirin have?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Ribavirin and call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as:

• problems with your eyesight
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• severe pain in the upper abdomen spreading to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate
• stabbing chest pain, wheezing, feeling short of breath
• major depression, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general feeling of pain
• pale or yellowish skin, dark urine, easy bruising or bleeding, confusion, or unusual weakness

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache
• muscle ache
• dry mouth
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite
• weight loss
• feeling tired or irritable
• anxiety, mood swings or
• pain, swelling, or irritation where the interferon injection was given

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Ribavirin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using ribavirin?

In deciding to use a drug, the risks of taking the drug must be weighed against the benefits produced by the drug. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read ingredients labels or packages carefully.

Children

There have not been adequate studies regarding the relationship of age to the effects of using Ribavirin tablets in children younger than 5 years of age, Ribavirin capsules and direct drinking fluids in children younger than 3 years of age. The safety and efficacy of Ribavirin tablets, capsules, and direct drinking fluids have not been determined in this age group.

Elderly

There are no adequate studies to date showing a problem with the use of this drug in the elderly which will limit the usefulness of Ribavirin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require adjusting the dose for patients taking Ribavirin.

Is ribavirin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category X according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Ribavirin Drug Interactions

What drugs may interact with ribavirin?

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medicines you use.

• ddI

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Abacavir
• Azathioprine
• Lamivudine
• Stavudine
• Zalcitabine
• Zidovudine

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Interferon Alfa-2b

Can food or alcohol interact with ribavirin?

Certain medications should not be used at or around meal times or certain types of food because interactions can occur. Consumption of alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Talk to your healthcare professional about using drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with ribavirin?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• autoimmune hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• history of heart disease (unstable)
• severe liver disease (including cirrhosis)
• sickle cell anemia (a red blood cell disorder)
• thalassemia major (genetic blood disorder) - should not be used in patients with blood or bone marrow problems (eg anemia, pancytopenia)
• breathing problems and lung disease (eg, pneumonia, pulmonary infiltrates, pulmonary hypertension)
• colitis (inflammation of the large intestine)
• depression
• diabetes
• history of drug abuse
• eye or vision problems (for example, vision loss, retinopathy)
• heart attack, history
• heart or blood vessel disease, and its history
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• sarcoidosis (lung disease)
• thyroid disease
• weakened immune system - use with caution. might make conditions worse
• blood problems (for example, spherocytosis)
• stomach problems (for example, bleeding), history - use with caution. May increase the risk of severe anemia
• infections (eg, adenovirus, RSV)
• Influenza or parainfluenza-copegus® should not be used in patients with this condition. Your doctor may give you inhaled ribavirin
• Higher ribavirin blood levels of kidney disease can occur, which increases the risk of serious side effects
• liver disease, decompensation
• organ transplantation (eg, liver, kidney) - use of Ribavirin and peginterferon combination alpha-2a has not been established in patients with this condition.

Ribavirin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.