Ribavirin (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Copegus

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ribavirin, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you or your child has ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ribavirin . Also tell your health care professional if you or your child is allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy-Ribavirin for inhalation is not usually prescribed for teenagers or adults. However, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant may be exposed to ribavirin that is given off in the air if they spend time at the child's bedside while ribavirin is being given. Although studies have not been done in humans, ribavirin has been shown to cause birth defects and other problems in certain animal studies. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Ribavirin for oral use should not be used while you are pregnant, if you plan on becoming pregnant, or by men whose female partners are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It has been shown to cause serious birth defects and other problems in animals. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Breast-feeding- It is not known whether ribavirin passes into human breast milk. However, ribavirin passes into the breast milk of animals and has been shown to cause problems in nursing animals and their young. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast feeding during treatment with ribavirin. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this with your doctor.

Children-Children may be sensitive to the effects of ribavirin. This may increase the chance of side effects or other problems during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this with your doctor.

Older adults-Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore it may not be known if they work the same way that they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ribavirin it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Didanosine (e.g., Videx)- this medicine should not be used at the same time as ribavirin because serious side effects can occur.

• Stavudine (e.g., Zerit) or
• Zidovudine (e.g., Retrovir)- these medicines should not be used at the same time as ribavirin

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ribavirin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia (blood disorder) or
• Autoimmune hepatitis (liver inflammation)-Ribavirin could make these conditions worse and lead to very serious side effects.

• Heart disease-Patients with heart disease or a history of heart disease should not use ribavirin oral dosage forms because serious side effects can occur.

• Blood conditions such as
• Sickle Cell Anemia (red blood cell disorder) or
• Thalassemia major (genetic blood disorder)-Ribavirin should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Hepatic decompensation-Ribavirin medicine should not be used in patients with this condition

• Mental depression-Ribavirin should be used carefully in patients with this condition, especially adolescents as serious side effects can occur

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)-Ribavirin should suspended in patients with symptoms of this condition and stopped in patients who have this condition

Last Revised: 08/24/2004