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CHEMICAL NAME
RIBAVIRIN.
INDICATIONS
Rebetol(Ribavirin) is a nucleoside analog antiviral medicine that is used in combination with interferon to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes swelling or enlargement of the liver.
DIRECTIONS
Measure out each dose carefully and take Rebetol(Ribavirin) by mouth, usually twice daily with or without food or as directed by your doctor. It is important to take this medication consistently either with food or without food. Taking it inconsistently (sometimes with food, sometimes without food) may decrease the effectiveness and/or increase your risk of side effects. It may be best to take Rebetol(Ribavirin) with food (more medicine might be absorbed into your bloodstream). The dosage and length of treatment is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to therapy. Antiviral medications work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take Rebetol(Ribavirin) at evenly spaced intervals. It is recommended that female patients or female partners of male patients take a pregnancy test before this medication is started. Refer to the pregnancy warning in the Precautions section (below). Drink plenty of water while being treated with this medication; doing so will decrease the risk of serious side effects.
MISSED DOSE:Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, and flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Promptly tell your doctor if any of these side effects occur: hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, rash, itching, changes in taste or hearing. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: unusual tiredness and weakness (fatigue), dark urine, yellowing eyes, mental/mood changes (including severe depression or suicidal thoughts), trouble breathing. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chest pain, muscle pain, joint pain, sinus problems (e.g., drainage, pain behind the eyes), rapid breathing, stomach pain. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS
Do not take Rebetol(Ribavirin) if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this product. Laboratory and/or medical tests such as hemoglobin levels, heart tests, pregnancy tests in women, or liver function tests may be done at the start of therapy and during therapy to monitor your progress and to check for side effects. This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drives, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes antacids containing aluminum or magnesium or products that contain simethicone. Patients with hiv infection taking stavudine or zidovudine should talk with their doctor or pharmacist before using ribavirin. The effectiveness of these medicines against hiv may be reduced when given with ribavirin. Caution is advised when using this medicine in children or the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine. It is recommended that female patients or female partners of male patients take a pregnancy test before this medicine is started. a pregnancy test should also be done every month during treatment and for 6 months after the end of treatment with this medicine to make sure no pregnancy occurs during therapy. It is recommended that men and women use two effective forms of birth control while using this medicine. For women: do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. if you suspect that you could be pregnant contact your doctor immediately. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
OVERDOSAGE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
INFORMATION
Carry an identification card at all times that says you use this medicine. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
NOTES
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician,pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your
healthcare professional before taking the product.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: didanosine. If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting ribavirin. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal medication you may use, especially of: antacids, certain anti-HIV drugs (e.g., NRTI's such as lamivudine, stavudine, zidovudine).
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