Ribavirin Tablets

What is this medication?

RIBAVIRIN (rye ba VYE rin) treats infections caused by the hepatitis C virus. It works by limiting the spread of the virus inside the body. This medication does not kill the virus and it may still be possible to spread the virus to others. It will not treat colds, the flu, or infections caused by bacteria.

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

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Copegus, Moderiba, RibaPak, Ribasphere, Ribasphere RibaPak, RibaTab

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

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

• Blood disease, such as sickle-cell anemia or thalassemia
• Cancer
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Immune system problems
• Kidney disease
• Low blood cell levels (white cells, platelets, or red blood cells)
• Lung or breathing disease
• Other liver disease
• Substance use disorder
• Thyroid disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to ribavirin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• If you or your partner are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 5 years 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?

If you miss a dose and remember the same day, take it as soon as you remember. If the whole day has passed, ask your care team what to do. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with the following:

• Didanosine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• 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?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work while you are taking this medication.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or for 9 months after stopping treatment.

You must have a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication and each month during treatment. Use two reliable forms of contraception during and for 9 months after stopping this medication. A barrier contraceptive, such as a condom or diaphragm, is recommended during this time period. Talk to your care team about other forms of contraception.

Use a condom during sex and for 6 months after stopping therapy. Tell your care team right away if you think your partner might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects.

Drinking alcohol with this medication can make your liver disease worse.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of these side effects.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Take good care of your teeth while on this medication. Make sure you see your dentist for regular appointments. If you vomit, rinse out your mouth.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
• Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Hemolytic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Lung injury—shortness of breath or trouble breathing, cough, spitting up blood, chest pain, fever
• Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

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

• Anxiety, nervousness
• Dry mouth
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Unusual weakness or fatigue

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?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer wanted or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

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.