Ribavirin is a substance that, when associated with other specific remedies, such as alpha interferon, is indicated for the treatment of hepatitis C.
This medicine should only be used if recommended by the doctor and can only be purchased upon presentation of a prescription.
What is it for
Ribavirin is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in adults and children older than 3 years, in combination with other drugs for the disease, and should not be used alone.
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How to take
The recommended dose varies according to the age, the person's weight and the medicine used together with ribavirin. Thus, the dose should always be guided by a hepatologist.
When there is no specific recommendation, the general guidelines indicate:
- Adults weighing less than 75 kg: daily dose of 1000 mg (5 capsules of 200 mg) per day, divided into 2 doses; Adults over 75 kg: a dose of 1200 mg (6 capsules of 200 mg) per day, divided into 2 doses.
In the case of children, the dose should always be calculated by a pediatrician, and the recommended average daily dose is 10 mg / kg body weight.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects that may occur during treatment with ribavirin are anemia, anorexia, depression, insomnia, headache, dizziness, decreased concentration, difficulty breathing, cough, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, hair loss, dermatitis, itching, dry skin, muscle and joint pain, fever, chills, pain, tiredness, reactions at the injection site and irritability.
Who should not take
Ribavirin is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to ribavirin or to any of the excipients, while breastfeeding, in people with a previous history of severe heart disease, including unstable or uncontrolled heart disease, in the previous six months, people with dysfunction severe hepatic or decompensated cirrhosis and hemoglobinopathies.
The initiation of interferon therapy is contraindicated in patients co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV, with cirrhosis and with a Child-Pugh score ≥ 6.
In addition, the drug should also not be used by pregnant women and should only be started after obtaining a negative result on a pregnancy test performed immediately before starting therapy.
