What is Rebetol
RibavirinThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryRibavirin is an antiviral medication used to treat hepatitis C and some types of viral hemorrhagic fever. It works by blocking the synthesis of viral mRNA and can be used as part of combination therapies to increase the effectiveness of other medications. Ribavirin is typically prescribed as an adjunct therapy for HCV in combination with other drugs like sofosbuvir and daclatasvir and is known to increase the risk of anemia. It can also be used in combination with other medications such as elbasvir/grazoprevir, harvoni, telaprevir/boceprevir, technivie
Virazoleis the brand name
Rebetol Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Virazole
Ribavirin
1986
57
Effectiveness
How Rebetol Affects PatientsRibavirin works by increasing the amount of mistakes made when viruses copy their genetic material. It is part of a group of drugs that prevent viruses from replicating and is similar in structure to the building blocks of RNA molecules. Ribavirin also stops an enzyme called RNA dependent RNA polymerase from working, which prevents the virus from multiplying.
How Rebetol works in the bodyRibavirin works in multiple ways to stop viral replication. It binds to the nucleotide binding sites of viral enzymes, preventing them from connecting to the correct nucleotides. Ribavirin also mimics a molecule in our body, causing an enzyme to be blocked that is necessary for the production of other molecules needed for viral replication. Additionally, ribavirin causes an increase in mutations in the virus, leading to defective virions. Finally, it shifts the body's immune response to the virus, leading to increased production of antibodies that help fight off the virus.
When to interrupt dosage
Condition
Dosage
Administration
HIV Positive
400.0 mg, 600.0 mg, , 200.0 mg, 40.0 mg/mL, 6000.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, , Capsule; Powder, for solution, Oral, Liquid, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule; Powder, for solution - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit, Capsule, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral; Subcutaneous, Capsule; Kit; Liquid, Respiratory (inhalation), Solution - Oral, Aerosol; Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution; Tablet - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit - Oral, Liquid - Oral, Capsule; Kit; Liquid - Oral; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution, Liquid - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution; Tablet, Tablet, coated, Aerosol; Powder, for solution
Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
400.0 mg, 600.0 mg, , 200.0 mg, 40.0 mg/mL, 6000.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, , Capsule; Powder, for solution, Oral, Liquid, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule; Powder, for solution - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit, Capsule, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral; Subcutaneous, Capsule; Kit; Liquid, Respiratory (inhalation), Solution - Oral, Aerosol; Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution; Tablet - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit - Oral, Liquid - Oral, Capsule; Kit; Liquid - Oral; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution, Liquid - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution; Tablet, Tablet, coated, Aerosol; Powder, for solution
compensated liver disease
400.0 mg, 600.0 mg, , 200.0 mg, 40.0 mg/mL, 6000.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, , Capsule; Powder, for solution, Oral, Liquid, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule; Powder, for solution - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit, Capsule, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral; Subcutaneous, Capsule; Kit; Liquid, Respiratory (inhalation), Solution - Oral, Aerosol; Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution; Tablet - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit - Oral, Liquid - Oral, Capsule; Kit; Liquid - Oral; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution, Liquid - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution; Tablet, Tablet, coated, Aerosol; Powder, for solution
Chronic Hepatitis C
400.0 mg, 600.0 mg, , 200.0 mg, 40.0 mg/mL, 6000.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, , Capsule; Powder, for solution, Oral, Liquid, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule; Powder, for solution - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit, Capsule, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral; Subcutaneous, Capsule; Kit; Liquid, Respiratory (inhalation), Solution - Oral, Aerosol; Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution; Tablet - Oral; Subcutaneous, Kit - Oral, Liquid - Oral, Capsule; Kit; Liquid - Oral; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution - Respiratory (inhalation), Solution, Liquid - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution; Tablet, Tablet, coated, Aerosol; Powder, for solution
Warnings
Rebetol ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Haemoglobinopathies congenital
Do Not Combine
Toxoplasma Infections
Do Not Combine
pregnant partner
Do Not Combine
Toxoplasma Infections
Do Not Combine
Autoimmune Hepatitis
Do Not Combine
Common Rebetol Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Didanosine
Major
The serum concentration of dideoxyadenosine 5’-triphosphate, an active metabolite of Didanosine, can be increased when used in combination with Ribavirin.
Aclidinium
Minor
Ribavirin may decrease the excretion rate of Aclidinium which could result in a higher serum level.
Acrivastine
Minor
Ribavirin may decrease the excretion rate of Acrivastine which could result in a higher serum level.
Albutrepenonacog alfa
Minor
Ribavirin may decrease the excretion rate of Albutrepenonacog alfa which could result in a higher serum level.
Allylestrenol
Minor
Ribavirin may decrease the excretion rate of Allylestrenol which could result in a higher serum level.
Rebetol Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking Rivabirin and PEG-Interferon Alfa-2A together may lead to flu-like symptoms, depression, suicide, insomnia, irritability, relapse of drug abuse/overdose, liver failure in 2% of HIV co-infected patients, and bacterial infections. Ribavirin also causes anemia which gets worse with higher doses. Tests have shown that ribavirin has the potential to cause cancer in humans, as it caused mutations in a mouse lymphoma test. The toxic dose of ribavirin in rats is 2700 mg/kg and 1300 mg/kg in mice.
Rebetol Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Rebetol?
Currently, three clinical trials are assessing the potential of Rebetol in managing Chronic Hepatitis C, HIV Positive status and Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Chronic Hepatitis C
3 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 2
HIV Positive
0 Actively Recruiting
Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
0 Actively Recruiting
compensated liver disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Rebetol Reviews: What are patients saying about Rebetol?
3Patient Review
9/6/2011 The virus was undetectable after 4 months of treatment, but my diabetes became much worse and more out of control.
1Patient Review
10/21/2008 This treatment didn't work for me and actually made things worse. I developed a severe skin rash that was incredibly painful. I had to stop taking the medication for a month to let the rash heal, and even then it came back. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
1Patient Review
12/18/2007 My uncle started taking this "experimental" drug for his disease and ended up in the hospital just four days later. We lost him two days after that.
Patient Q&A Section about rebetol
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is Sovaldi used for?
"SOVALDI is not recommended for treatment of HCV genotype 1 or 4 infection. SOVALDI should be used with caution in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
SOVALDI is a drug used to treat children 3 years of age and older with chronic HCV genotype 2 or 3 infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis in combination with ribavirin. SOVALDI is not recommended for treatment of HCV genotype 1 or 4 infection. SOVALDI should be used with caution in patients with decompensated cirrhosis."
Answered by AI
What does ribavirin do to the body?
"Ribavirin is an antiviral medication that works by stopping the virus that causes hepatitis C from spreading inside the body."
Answered by AI
What is Rebetol used for?
"Rebetol is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of chronic hepatitis C. Rebetol can be used by itself or with other medications. Rebetol belongs to a class of drugs called hepatitis B/hepatitis C agents; RSV agents. The safety and effectiveness of Rebetol in children younger than 3 years of age is not known."
Answered by AI
Is Rebetol discontinued?
", the FDA announced that Merck would be discontinuing their Rebetol (ribavirin) oral solution. This is due to business reasons and not because of any safety, efficacy or quality issues. Rebetol will be discontinued on or near June 2019, but the brand Rebetol capsules will continue to be available."
Answered by AI