Rebetol

Generic name:ribavirin (oral) [ RYE-ba-VYE-rin ]
Drug classes:Inhaled anti-infectives, Purine nucleosides

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 12, 2020.

What is Rebetol?

Rebetol is an antiviral medication that is used to treat chronic hepatitis C.

Rebetol is not effective when used alone. This medicine must be used in combination with interferon alfa or peginterferon alfa.

Rebetol is sometimes given to people taking other antiviral medications to treat hepatitis C.

Warnings

You should not use Rebetol if you have autoimmune hepatitis, severe kidney disease, or a hemoglobin blood cell disorder.

Call your doctor at once if you have pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion, chest pain, weakness, or trouble breathing.

Rebetol is not effective when used alone. It must be used together with an interferon alfa product. You should not take this medicine with didanosine.

Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your sexual partner is pregnant. Use 2 forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy while either sexual partner is taking Rebetol, and for at least 6 months after treatment ends. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is taking this medicine.

In rare cases, ribavirin can cause fatal heart problems. Get emergency medical attention if you have chest pain.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Rebetol if you are allergic to ribavirin, or if you have:

• a hemoglobin blood cell disorder such as sickle-cell anemia or thalassemia;

• autoimmune hepatitis;

• moderate to severe kidney disease;

• if you are also taking didanosine; or

• if you are pregnant, or if you are a man whose sex partner is pregnant.

When you take Rebetol in combination with other medications: There may be other reasons you should not take the combination treatment. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a blood cell disorder such as anemia (low red blood cells);

• heart problems, high blood pressure, or heart attack;

• breathing problems;

• vision problems (you may need an eye exam before taking ribavirin);

• diabetes;

• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV or AIDS) or a weak immune system;

• depression, mental illness, thoughts of hurting yourself or others;

• a thyroid disorder;

• kidney disease;

• an organ transplant;

• l...