RIBAVIRIN contains Ribavirin, an antiviral drug used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. RIBAVIRIN inhibits the action of viral RNA (genetic material) essential for the virus to multiply. Thereby, it stops the virus from making new viruses and helps in reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Take RIBAVIRIN as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take RIBAVIRIN for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience dizziness, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, tiredness or loss of appetite. Most of these side effects of RIBAVIRIN do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to RIBAVIRIN or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. RIBAVIRIN is not recommended for children below 3 years of age. Avoid taking RIBAVIRIN if you are pregnant as it may cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before taking RIBAVIRIN. It is recommended to use effective contraceptive measures to avoid pregnancy while using RIBAVIRIN and for 7 months after stopping treatment with RIBAVIRIN. If you experience stomach pain, vomiting or nausea while taking RIBAVIRIN, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be symptoms of a rare but severe side effect known as lactic acidosis (excess of lactic acid in the blood).
