1. Hepatitis Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow Pictures

Pharmacy Author:

Annette (Gbemudu) Ogbru, PharmD, MBA

Annette (Gbemudu) Ogbru, PharmD, MBA

View Full Profile

Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

View Full Profile

Ribavirin drugs include medications such as Rebetol and Copegus.

How do ribavirin drugs work? Ribavirin drugs are like antibiotics for certain viruses. By itself, ribavirin has little effect on HCV, but it does help interferon work better.

Who should not use these medications? Individuals with allergy to ribavirin and those with severe kidney disease should not take these drugs. Because of the risk of birth defects, pregnant women, and men whose partners are pregnant, should not take ribavirin. Once treatment is started, pregnancy should be avoided with effective birth control measures.

Dosage and Administration: Ribavirin tablets or capsules are taken each day.

Drug or food interactions: When taken with didanosine (Videx), life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas has occurred.

Side effects: Ribavirin may cause severe anemia, worsening of heart disease, rash, and inflammation of the pancreas.

Must Read Articles Related to Current and Future Medications for Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C is contagious. Symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, abdom...learn more >>

Liver Transplant Currently, more than 17,000 people in the United States are waiting for liver transplants. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), about 5,300...learn more >>

See the Entire Current and Future Medications for Hepatitis C Topic Guide »