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Copegus, Rebetol, |ribavirin

ribavirin

Generic Name: ribavirin (oral) (rye ba VYE rin)
Brand Names: Copegus, Rebetol

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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

• 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.

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

• autoimmune hepatitis; or

• a hemoglobin disorder such as anemia, thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia), or sickle-cell anemia.

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

• a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, or a heart attack;

• cancer;

• diabetes;

• lung disease or breathing problems;

• kidney or liver disease;

• a history of depression or suicide attempt;

• sarcoidosis;

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction;

• a thyroid disorder;

• a history of a liver or other organ transplant; or

• hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV or AIDS).

• 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 not be able to use ribavirin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

• 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.

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.

How should I take ribavirin?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Measure the liquid form of ribavirin with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

You may take ribavirin with or without food, but take it the same way every time.

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. Your liver and thyroid function may also need to be checked. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

It is important to use ribavirin regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. You may need to take this medication for many months.

Drink extra fluids while you are taking ribavirin to keep from getting dehydrated, especially during exercise or in hot weather.

Ribavirin can cause dry mouth, which could lead to tooth decay or gum disease. If you vomit while taking ribavirin, rinse your mouth out with water to prevent damage to your teeth or gums. Be sure to have regular dental exams while you are taking this medication.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. If you have not taken the medication for longer than 24 hours, call your doctor for instructions. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking ribavirin?

Treatment with ribavirin does not prevent spread of the hepatitis C virus to other people. Follow your doctor"s instructions about how to prevent passing the disease to another person.

Ribavirin side effects

• severe depression, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, easy bruising or bleeding, confusion, or unusual weakness;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, trouble breathing;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate.

Continue taking ribavirin and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• dry mouth;

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss;

• headache, dizziness;

• skin rash or itching;

• feeling tired or irritable;

• trouble concentrating;

• joint or muscle pain;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• stuffy nose.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect ribavirin?

Before taking ribavirin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• didanosine (Videx);

• stavudine (Zerit); or

• zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use ribavirin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect ribavirin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about ribavirin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Ribavirin is available with a prescription under the brand names Rebetol and Copegus. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Rebetol 200 mg-white, opaque capsules

• Rebetol Oral Solution 40 mg-mL-clear, colorless to light yellow, bubblegum-flavored solution

• Copegus 200 mg-pink, oval-shaped, film-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with other, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.