Ribavirin
About
Ribavirin belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Ribavirin is used in combination with other medicines. Hepatitis C is a severe liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is contagious (spreads from one person to another) and spreads through contact with the infected person’s blood.
Ribavirin contains Ribavirin, an antiviral drug that works by inhibiting the action of viral RNA (genetic material) that is essential for the virus to multiply. Thereby, it stops the virus from making new viruses and helps in reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Take Ribavirin as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Ribavirin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience dizziness, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, or loss of appetite. Most of these side effects of Ribavirin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Ribavirin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Ribavirin is not recommended for children below 3 years of age. Avoid taking Ribavirin if you are pregnant as it may cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before taking Ribavirin. It is recommended to use effective contraceptive measures to avoid pregnancy while using Ribavirin and for 7 months after stopping treatment with Ribavirin. If you experience stomach pain, vomiting, or nausea while taking Ribavirin, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be symptoms of a rare but severe side effect known as lactic acidosis (excess of lactic acid in the blood).
Uses of Ribavirin
Medicinal Benefits
Ribavirin contains Ribavirin, an antiviral drug used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Ribavirin inhibits the action of viral RNA (genetic material) essential for the virus to multiply. Thereby, it stops the virus from making new viruses and helps in reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ribavirin
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Ribavirin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Ribavirin if you have any blood disorder or have had a heart attack. Ribavirin is not recommended for children below 3 years of age. Avoid taking Ribavirin if you are pregnant as it may cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before taking Ribavirin. It is recommended to use effective contraceptive measures to avoid pregnancy while using Ribavirin and for 7 months after stopping treatment with Ribavirin. You are advised to take proper precautions if you are infected with the hepatitis C virus infection to prevent the spread of infection to others. If you experience stomach pain, vomiting, or nausea while taking Ribavirin, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be symptoms of a rare but severe side effect known as lactic acidosis (excess of lactic acid in the blood).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Ribavirin may interact with medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS (stavudine, zidovudine, didanosine), and immunosuppressant (azathioprine).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Avoid taking Ribavirin if you have any blood disorder or had a heart attack. If you have anemia, depression, severe eye disorders, dental disorders, HIV/AIDS or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Ribavirin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption with Ribavirin as it may worsen liver problems.
Pregnancy
unsafeRibavirin is a category X pregnancy drug and is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause birth defects. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Ribavirin is excreted in human milk. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding. Ribavirin is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionRibavirin may cause drowsiness or tiredness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you feel drowsy or tired after taking Ribavirin.
Liver
cautionTake Ribavirin with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Ribavirin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionRibavirin is not recommended for children below 3 years of age as safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains such as brown rice, oats, quinoa and barley.
- Eat lean protein such as skinless chicken, fish, beans and egg whites.
- Include healthy fats like avocados, olive oil and nuts.
- Eat low-fat or non-fat dairy products to minimize damage to the liver.
- Drink plenty of water for better processing of food by the body.
- Avoid sugary foods such as cake, cookies, packaged baked food or soda. Also, avoid heavy salt foods.
- Avoid foods containing saturated fats such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, sour cream, butter and other high-fat dairy products as they may lead to weight gain and result in fatty liver.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as they may increase the risk of liver damage.
Special Advise
Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Ribavirin to monitor blood, liver and kidney functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hepatitis C: It is a severe liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is contagious (spreads from one person to another) and spreads through contact with the infected person’s blood, sharing needles, using a razor or any other personal items or even transfer from mother to baby during birth. The symptoms may not appear immediately. Some may take between 2 to 12 weeks to appear. Some people may have mild to moderate symptoms such as dark urine, loss of appetite, fever, joint pain, or stomach discomfort. The complications of untreated chronic hepatitis C include liver cancer or liver cirrhosis (scarring).
FAQs
Ribavirin contains Ribavirin, an antiviral drug that works by inhibiting the action of viral RNA (genetic material) that is essential for the virus to multiply. Thereby, it stops the virus from making new viruses and helps in reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Hepatitis C virus infection is contagious and spreads from one person to another through contact with an infected person’s blood. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid sharing personal items or needles containing the blood of an infected person.
You are not recommended to take Ribavirin with zidovudine (a medicine used to treat HIV/AIDS), as it may reduce the effectiveness of zidovudine. Please consult your doctor before taking Ribavirin with other medicines. However, regular blood tests are recommended to make sure that HIV infection is not getting worse.
Ribavirin may cause lactic acidosis (excess of lactic acid in the blood), a rare but severe side effect especially in women who are very obese. However, if you experience stomach pain, vomiting or nausea while taking Ribavirin, please consult a doctor immediately.
You are not recommended to stop taking Ribavirin without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the infection or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Ribavirin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Ribavirin, please consult your doctor.
