ribavirin (oral)

Brand name(s):

ribavirin, Copegus, Rebetol

What is the most important information I should know about ribavirin?

Ribavirin is not effective when used alone to treat hepatitis C. Ribavirin must be used together with an interferon alfa product (such as Peg-Intron or Intron A) to treat chronic hepatitis C. This medication can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby.

If you are a woman, do not take ribavirin if you are pregnant.
If you are a man, do not take ribavirin if your female sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn baby could also be harmed if a man fathers the child while he is taking ribavirin.
Use at least two effective forms of birth control while either sexual partner is taking ribavirin, and for at least 6 months after treatment ends.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is taking ribavirin.

Ribavirin may decrease the number of red blood cells in your body. This is called anemia and it can be life-threatening in people who have heart disease or circulation problems. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Call your doctor at once if you have pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, or weakness. These may be signs of serious anemia.

What is ribavirin?

Ribavirin is an antiviral medication.

Ribavirin must be used together with an interferon alfa product (such as Peg-Intron or Intron A) to treat chronic hepatitis C.

Ribavirin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ribavirin?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to ribavirin, or if you have:

severe liver disease;
autoimmune hepatitis;
a hemoglobin disorder such as anemia, thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia), or sickle-cell anemia; or
if you are pregnant woman, or a man whose female sexual partner is pregnant.

Before using ribavirin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney or liver disease;
hepatitis B infection;
a blood cell disorder;
cancer;
psoriasis;
diabetes;
sarcoidosis;
a thyroid disorder;
hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV or AIDS);
a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, or a heart attack;
a history of depression or suicide attempt;
a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or
a history of a liver or other organ transplant.
Tell your doctor if you have been treated with interferon in the past and it did not work well in treating your hepatitis C.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take ribavirin.

This medication can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby.

If you are a woman, do not take ribavirin if you are pregnant. You will need frequent pregnancy tests to make sure you are not pregnant while taking ribavirin.
If you are a man, do not take ribavirin if your female sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn baby could also be harmed if a man fathers the child while he is taking ribavirin. Your sexual partner will need frequent pregnancy tests to make sure she is not pregnant while you are taking ribavirin.
Use at least two effective forms of birth control while either sexual partner is taking ribavirin, and for at least 6 months after treatment ends.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is taking ribavirin.

Your name may need to be listed on a ribavirin pregnancy registry if you become pregnant while you or your male sexual partner are taking this medication or during the 6 months after treatment ends. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to evaluate whether ribavirin had any effect on the baby.

It is not known whether ribavirin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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