Ribavirin inhalation

What is this medication?

RIBAVIRIN (rye ba VYE rin) is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in hospitalized infants and children.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Virazole

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease
• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ribavirin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for inhalation through the mouth. It is given by specially trained personnel in a hospital setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as infants for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with the following medication:

• didanosine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• abacavir
• azathioprine
• emtricitabine
• lamivudine
• stavudine
• zidovudine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

Visitors and health care workers are at risk of exposure to this medicine by breathing mist from the air. Talk to the doctor for more information. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding talk with the doctor before visiting a patient who is on this medicine.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• chest pain, soreness
• fever
• lips or nail beds with bluish color
• seizures
• unusual blood pressure or heart rate
• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• irritated, watery eyes
• runny nose

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.