Ribavirin is used to treat severe virus pneumonia in infants and young children. It is given by oral inhalation (breathing in the medicine as a fine mist through the mouth), using a special nebulizer attached to an oxygen hood or tent or face mask.
Ribavirin taken by mouth treats a viral liver infection known as hepatitis C. It can be used in patients who have hepatitis C and also have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is used in combination with injectable interferon alfa-2b or with injectable peginterferon alfa-2b. Ribavirin is used to treat virus infections. Interferons are substances naturally produced by cells in the body to help fight infections and tumors. Interferon alfa-2b and peginterferon alfa-2b are synthetic or man-made versions of these substances. Interferon alfa-2b and peginterferon alfa-2b are used to treat a variety of tumors and viruses including the hepatitis C virus. |
| How to use copegus? |
Ribavirin tablets are taken by mouth in the morning and the evening. Swallow tablets with a drink of water. Ribavirin tablets should be taken with food. Your prescriber or health care professional will determine the exact dose. Follow the directions on your prescription package. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better.
Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Do NOT share this medicine with anyone else.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. |
| What are risk factors? |
In decision to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the positive effect it will do. This decision should be taken by you and your doctor for ribavirin, the following should be considered:
Allergies—You should breif your doctor if you or your child has ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ribavirin . Also tell your health care professional if you or your child is allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Ribavirin for inhalation is not usually prescribed for teenagers or adults. However, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant may be exposed to ribavirin that is given off in the air if they spend time at the child's bedside while ribavirin is being given. Although studies have not been done in humans, ribavirin has been shown to cause birth defects and other problems in certain animal studies. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Ribavirin for oral use should not be used while you are pregnant, if you plan on becoming pregnant, or by men whose female partners are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It has been shown to cause serious birth defects and other problems in animals. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether ribavirin passes into human breast milk. However, ribavirin passes into the breast milk of animals and has been shown to cause problems in nursing animals and their young. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast feeding during treatment with ribavirin.
Children—Children may be sensitive to the effects of ribavirin. This may increase the chance of side effects or other problems during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this with your doctor.
Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore it may not be known if they work the same way that they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ribavirin it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following: |
 |
Anemia (blood disorder)or |
|
Autoimmune hepatitis (liver inflammation)—Ribavirin could make these conditions worse and lead to very serious side effects. |
|
Heart disease—Patients with heart disease or a history of heart disease should not use ribavirin oral dosage forms because serious side effects can occur. |
|
Blood conditions such as |
|
Sickle cell anemia (red blood cell disorder) or |
|
Thalassemia major (genetic blood disorder)—Ribavirin should not be used in patients with these conditions. |
|
Hepatic decompensation—Ribavirin medicine should not be used in patients with this condition. |
|
Mental depression—Ribavirin should be used carefully in patients with this condition, especially adolescents as serious side effects can occur. |
|
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)—Ribavirin should suspended in |
|
|
