Ribavirin is used to treat severe virus pneumonia in infants and young children. It is given by oral inhalation 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 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.
What are the side effects of the medicine?
Ribavirin may cause fetal harm when used in a pregnant woman. Therefore, the drug must not be used during pregnancy by either the pregnant woman or her male partner. Two reliable forms of birth control must be used whenever at least one sexual partner is using this medicine, and for six months after stopping treatment. If you (or your partner) become pregnant or think you/partner may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Do not breast-feed without first consulting your doctor.
What are the proper use of this medicine?
To help clear up your infection completely, ribavirin must be given for the full time of treatment , even if you or your child begins to feel better after a few days. Also, ribavirin for inhalation works best when there is a constant amount in the lungs. To help keep the amount constant, ribavirin must be given on a regular or continuous schedule.
A negative pregnancy test is needed in women who are of childbearing age before starting treatment with oral ribavirin. Two forms of birth control must be used during oral ribavirin treatment and for six months after treatment ends.
Dosing-The dose of ribavirin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of ribavirin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For the inhalation dosage form:
For treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
Adults and teenagers-Dose has not been determined since this medicine is not usually prescribed for teenagers or adults.
Infants and children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
For the oral dosage form:
For the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection:
For oral dosage forms (capsules):
Adults and children-Dose must be determined by your doctor
For oral dosage form (oral solution):
Adults and teenagers-Dose must be determined by your doctor. The oral solution form of this medicine is not usually prescribed for teenagers or adults.
Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
Adults-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
Children- Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. The tablet form of this medicine is not usually prescribed for children.
For the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection with HIV infection:
For oral dosage form (tablets):
Adults-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
Children- Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. The tablet form of this medicine is not usually prescribed for children.
