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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Another commonly used name is tribavirin .
Ribavirin (rye-ba-VYE-rin) is used to treat severe virus pneumonia in infants and young children. It is given by oral inhalation (breathing in the medicine as a fine mist through the mouth), using a special nebulizer (sprayer) attached to an oxygen hood or tent or face mask.
This medicine may also be used for other virus infections as determined by your doctor. However, it will not work for certain viruses, such as the common cold.
Ribavirin is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor, in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ribavirin, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you or your child has ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ribavirin for inhalation. Also tell your health care professional if you or your child is allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Ribavirin for inhalation is not usually prescribed for teenagers or adults. However, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant may be exposed to ribavirin that is given off in the air if they spend time at the patient's bedside while ribavirin is being given. Although studies have not been done in humans, ribavirin has been shown to cause birth defects and other problems in certain animal studies. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Breast-feeding--Ribavirin for inhalation is not usually prescribed for teenagers or adults. However, ribavirin passes into the breast milk of animals and has been shown to cause problems in nursing animals and their young.
Children--This medicine has been tested in children, and, when used as it should be and in effective doses, has not been shown to cause serious side effects or problems.
Older adults--Ribavirin for inhalation is not usually prescribed
for use in elderly patients. To help clear up your infection
completely,
ribavirin must be given for the full time
of treatment
, even if you or your child begins to feel better after
a few days. Also, this medicine works best when there is a constant amount
in the lungs. To help keep the amount constant, ribavirin must be given on
a regular or continuous schedule. Dosing--The dose of ribavirin will be different for
different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the
directions
. The following information includes only the average doses
of ribavirin.
If your dose is different, do not change
it
unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Along with
its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following
side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue
or are bothersome: Rare Other side effects not listed above may also occur in
some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Once a medicine has been approved
for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful
for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product
labeling, ribavirin is used in certain patients with the following medical
conditions:
Proper Use of This Medicine
Side Effects of This Medicine
Additional Information
For patients taking this medicine by mouth or injection for Lassa fever :
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.
Revised: 02/23/93
Interim revision: 06/08/94
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