Ribavirin(rye ba vye’ rin)
Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere, Virazole
PREGNANCY CATEGORY X
Drug Class
Antiviral
Therapeutic Actions
Antiviral activity against RSV, influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, and HSV; mechanism of action is not known.
Indications
Treatment of carefully selected hospitalized infants and children with severe RSV infection of lower respiratory tract (aerosol only)
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) in patients 3 yr or older with compensated liver disease untreated with or refractory to alfa interferon therapy
With Pegasys, treatment of adults with hepatitis C who have compensated liver disease and no previous alfa interferon therapy
Orphan drug use: Treatment of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
Unlabeled uses for aerosol: Treatment of some influenza types A and B infections, herpes simplex virus
Unlabeled use for oral preparation: Treatment of some viral diseases, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to drug product, COPD, pregnancy or male whose female partner is pregnant (causes fetal damage), lactation, thalassemia, sickle-cell anemia, severe renal impairment.
Use cautiously with renal impairment, respiratory dysfunction.
Available Forms
Capsules—200 mg; oral solution—40 mg/mL; powder for aerosol reconstitution—6 g/100 mL vial; tablets—200, 400, 600 mg
Dosages
Adults
Chronic hepatitis C, Genotype 1, 4:
More than 75 kg or less: Two 200-mg capsules PO in the AM, three 200-mg capsules
PO in the PM with 180 mcg Pegasys subcutaneously per wk for 24–48 wk.
More than 75 kg: Three 200-mg capsules PO in AM, three 200-mg capsules PO in PM with 180 mcg Pegasys subcutaneously per wk for 24–48 wk.
Chronic hepatitis C, Genotype 2, 3: Two 200-mg tablets PO in AM, two 200-mg tablets PO in PM with 180 mcg peg-interferon subcutaneously once per wk for 24 wk.
Pediatric patients
Aerosol
For use only with small-particle aerosol generator. Check operating instructions carefully. Dilute aerosol powder to 20 mg/mL and deliver for 12–18 hr/day for at least 3 but not more than 7 days.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
