Ribavirin
Discuss ribavirin?
Ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity against RNA viruses. It is licensed for use in combination with interferon alfa-2a or interferon alfa-2b for
treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
Discuss the dose?
Ribavirin is administered orally, usually in divided doses (200 mg per capsule or tablet). The dosage varies according to the patient’s weight. In conjunction with peg interferon alfa-2b (as for interferon alfa-2b) and regardless of genotype, people who weigh less than 65 kg take 800 mg of ribavirin daily in divided doses, people who weigh 65–85 kg take 1000 mg daily in divided doses, and people who weigh more than 85 kg take 1200 mg daily in divided doses.
Discuss the contraindications?
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding,
- Severe debilitating medical conditions (particularly of the heart, blood, kidneys and liver)
- Haemoglobinopathies
- Autoimmune diseases or
- Severe psychiatric conditions. I
Discuss the side effects?
- Hemolytic anemia
- Chest congestion, dry cough, and dyspnea
- Pruritus, Sinus disorders
- Rash, Gout, Nausea
- Diarrhea, Teratogenicity (Contraception-vimp)
Regular monitoring of full blood count to detect haemolytic anaemia is needed in order to
judge whether to reduce or cease ribavirin treatment.
The trials indicate that discontinuation of treatment is more frequent (10–20%) for combination therapy (IFN plus ribavirin) than for monotherapy (IFN). Studies of combination therapy show that haematological events were the most common reason for either study withdrawal or dose reduction.
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