Ribavirin
Class:Antibiotic,Antiviral
Mechanism of action
Inhibits replication
of RNA and DNA viruses;inhibits influenza virus RNA polymerase activity and inhibits
the initiation and elongation of RNA fragments resulting in inhibition of virus
protein synthesis,
Indications
Treatments of
patients with respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) infections;may also be used in
other viral infections including influenza A and B and adenovirus,specially
indicated for treatment of severe lower respiratory tract RSV infections in
patients with an underlying compromising condition(prematurity,bronchopulmonary
dysplasia and other chronic lung conditions,congenital heart
disease,immunodeficiency,immunosuppression) and recent transplant recipients.
Contraindications
Females of
childbearing age;hypersensitivity to ribavirin;patients with autoimmune
hepatitis.
Precautions
Use with caution in
patients requiring assisted ventilation because precipitation of the drug in
the respiratory equipment may interfere with safe and effective patient ventilation;monitor
carefully in patients with COPD and asthma for deterioration of respiratory
function.Ribavirin is potentially mutagenic,tumor promoting and gonadotoxic.
Side effects
Fatigue,headache,insomnia,nausea,anorexia,anemia,hypotension,cardiac
arrest,digitalis toxicity,rash,skin irritation,conjunctivitis,mild
bronchospasm,worsening of respiratory function,apnea,chest
pain,dizziness,depression,impaired concentration,alopecia.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy risk factor
X.
Drug interaction
Decreased effect of
zidovudine.
Dosage
400mg TID.The
duration of treatment for Hepatitis type A,10-14 days,for Herpes zoster,7-10
days.Children:15-20mg/kg body weight daily in 3 divided dosages for 5-7 days.Cream:apply
6-8 hours for 6 days.
Brands
Tabs.Ribazole
200,500,600mg,Cap.Variba 100,200,400mg,Tabs.R-Virin 500.
