Ribavirin |
| Agents
targetted |
Effective
against hemorrhagic
fever viruses, especially Arenaviruses (Junin,
Lassa fever, and Machupo
viruses) and Bunyaviruses (Crimean-Congo
hemorrhagic fever, Rift
Valley and Hantaan
viruses.) |
| Generally
effective against |
Perhaps
the most broadly effective antiviral antibiotic. It is most widely
used to treat viral pneumonia in infants and in combination with interferon
alpha2b, it is used to treat hepatitis C. It is effective against
DNA and RNA viruses. |
| Available
forms |
Oral
capsules, Oral solutions, Tablets, Inhalation mists |
| Indications
and usage |
Used
when an appropriate viral infection is diagnosed. The American Medical
Association recommends that all clinically evident viral hemorrhagic
fever cases should be treated with ribavirin until the agent has been
identified. Treatment can be continued when the agent is identified
as an Arenavirus or Bunyavirus and discontinued otherwise.
|
| Contraindications |
Known
adverse reactions to the drug, anemia, liver disorders including autoimmune
hepatitis and hepatic decompensation, heart disease, pancreatitis,
and blood disorders including sickle cell anemia and thalassemia major.
Pregnant and nursing women, the young, and the elderly should also
be treated carefully. |
| Drug
interactions |
Interacts
with other antiviral antibiotics including the AIDS driugs:
- Didanosine
- Stavudine
- Zidovudine
|
| Adverse
reactions and side effects
NOTE:
all such reactions are rare. |
A reversible
anemia is seen in some patients. Other adverse effects include a metallic
taste, dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, indigestion and mood and sleep
disturbance. If tightness is felt in the chest or trouble with breathing
is experienced, it should be reported to a doctor immediately. Unusual
bleeding or bruising or tiredness are also of concern. |
| Mode
of action |
Ribavirin
appears to act through several mechanisms. It is an analog of the
nucleic acid component guanosine and can interfere with several guanosine-dependent
processes. These include inhibiting the enzyme inosine monophosphate
dehydrogenase. It also interferes with the replication of the viral
nucleic acid and also acts to stimulate the immune system |
| Structure |
 |
| Chemical
names |
1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide |
| CAS
Registry number |
36791-04-5 |
Synonyms
and trade names
(known
and reported, not all may be current.) |
| Trade
Name |
Country |
| Copegus |
USA |
| Rebetol |
USA |
Ribamidil |
|
| RTC |
|
| Tribavirin |
|
| Vilona |
|
| Viramid |
|
| Viratek |
|
| Virazide |
|
| Virazol |
|
| Virazole |
Canada,
USA |