In the article, we consider the instructions for use with "Ribavirin", reviews and analogues.
This medicine is considered an effective antiviral drug. It is used in different countries in the treatment of respiratory syncytial viruses. In addition, it helps with many types of hemorrhagic fevers, from herpes, flu and so on. In the pharmaceutical market, “Ribavirin” can also be found under such names as “Divers”, “Ribapeg”, “Virazol”, “Ribasfer” and so on.
Indications for medication
According to the instructions, "Ribavirin" is recommended for use in the presence of the following pathological conditions and diseases:
- In chronic hepatitis C.
- Against the background of complicated infections caused by various viruses, infections, influenza, chickenpox, measles, herpes zoster, herpetic stomatitis and the like.
The solution for inhalation is used in inpatient therapy to treat newborns and young children with severe infectious pathologies of the lower respiratory canals, which are caused by the respiratory and syntial viruses.
Release format and composition
As indicated by the instructions for "Ribavirin", the active ingredient of this drug is the same name ingredient, ribavirin, magnesium stearate is also included in the composition of the pills along with corn starch, talc, calcium and hydrogen phosphate dihydrate. This drug is also available in capsules, in the form of a cream and concentrate for the preparation of a solution with further intravenous and intramuscular administration. Capsules with tablets are used for the treatment of adults, their components are almost completely absorbed from the stomach, and their use is considered convenient and effective.
According to the instructions, the drug "Ribavirin" is recommended to use during meals, which, if possible, should contain the necessary fat concentration. This property makes it possible to reduce the content of the drug during its passage through the liver. Cream "Ribavirin" appeared on the market recently, it can be used in the treatment of simple and herpes zoster as part of a comprehensive treatment.
The concentrate for the preparation of solutions is intended exclusively for hospital conditions, this form may have a more pronounced effect, but also can cause severe adverse reactions. Parenteral administration of "Ribavirin" requires in this regard, constant monitoring of the body.
Next, we find out how to properly use this medicine for treatment.
Mode of application
What else can you learn from the instructions for Ribavirin? The choice of the form of release of the drug largely depends on the specific ailment. Capsules with tablets are recommended to be taken with food, they can not be chewed. In the presence of hepatitis, the treatment regimen is calculated according to the following procedure: 15 milligrams of the drug per kilogram of weight is used. The duration of treatment is about forty-eight weeks.
The dosage of the concentrate for infusion is largely dependent on the weight of the patient. The initial dosage is 33 mg per kg of body weight. After six hours, the dose is reduced to 16 mg, the drug is administered every six hours for four days. Eight hours after the last dose, the drug is used at 8 mg per kilogram of weight for three days (every eight hours).
The medicine “Ribavirin” in the presence of a respiratory infection is administered every day for eighteen hours for three days. The drug is administered to patients in the form of an aerosol through an oxygen mask, the average concentration of the drug is 190 mcg per liter of air. The duration of treatment is from three to seven days. The cream is applied evenly to damaged areas of the skin and mucosa. The layer should be equal to one millimeter, and the multiplicity of the procedure should be five times a day.
Medicinal action
In accordance with the instructions to "Ribavirin", the possibility of drug interaction with this drug can remain for two months, with the parallel use of interferons, increased therapeutic efficacy is observed.
Simultaneous use helps to reduce the effectiveness of drugs such as Zidovudine and Stavudine, that is, drugs that are used in the treatment of immunodeficiency virus.
Side effects
According to the instructions for use and reviews of "Ribavirin", the drug has a large number of adverse reactions from various body systems:
- The work of the heart can be accompanied by tachycardia, cardiac arrest, increase or decrease in pressure, and in addition, heart palpitations.
- The nervous system can react with general weakness, confusion, depression, asthenia, agitation, aggressive behavior. Nerves can also respond with anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, headaches, emotional lability and irritability.
- As for the respiratory system, against the background of treatment with this medicine, otitis media is possible along with sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, dyspnea, cough, rhinitis, shortness of breath and so on.
- The work of the blood forming organs may be accompanied by thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, hemolytic anemia and neutropenia.
- The occurrence of arthralgia or myalgia is likely.
- The sensory organs sometimes respond with conjunctivitis, visual impairment, lesions of the lacrimal gland, hearing loss and the occurrence of tinnitus.
- The genitourinary system can respond with amenorrhea, decreased libido, menorrhagia, flushing, prostatitis, or dysmenorrhea.
The medication, along with its analogues, can cause the development of adverse reactions in the form of a flu-like syndrome, fungal infection, excessive sweating, hypothyroidism, thirst, dry skin, hair loss and structural damage, alopecia, chest pain, and so on. On the Internet you can read reviews in which patients describe adverse reactions not indicated in the instructions for use for Ribavrin.
Contraindications
The drug is classified as a medicine, the use of which is recommended to be treated with great caution. It can significantly change the speed of metabolic processes in the human body, and in addition, lead to adverse reactions. For these reasons, it is recommended to take this medicine only as prescribed by an infectious disease specialist or hepatologist; therapy should be carried out under the constant supervision of laboratory parameters. Due to the strong severity of adverse reactions, this drug is contraindicated for use up to eighteen years. Other contraindications include the following diseases:
- The appearance of a heart attack, and in addition, severe depression along with severe anemia and liver and kidney failure.
- The development of decompensated liver disease.
- The appearance of severe heart failure.
- The development of autoimmune diseases.
- The presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
The medicine "Ribavirin" should be taken with caution in the presence of thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe diabetes, and in addition to thyroid disease, blood clotting disorders, as well as in old age.
During pregnancy
According to the instructions, Ribavirin tablets are contraindicated during pregnancy, and in addition, during breastfeeding. As a result of clinical trials, the teratogenic effect of this drug on the fetus was established, which was expressed in the form of congenital malformations and malformation of the fetus.
The drug in question is capable of causing disturbances during the growth and differentiation of fetal tissues, which can provoke a congenital malformation.
After therapy for seven months, it is recommended to refrain from conception, since during this period the medicine can remain in the female body and can cause a teratogenic effect.
Storage conditions, price
The drug is recommended to be stored in a dark place for two years at a temperature of twenty degrees. The cost of this drug largely depends on the manufacturer, and in addition, on the form of release. In our country, the price of this medication varies from seven hundred to one thousand one hundred rubles.
In the instructions for use analogues of "Ribavirin" are not indicated.
Analogues of the drug
Medicines in the form of Rebetol, Ribavin, Ribavin-Bio, Vero-Ribavirin and so on should be attributed to the analogues of the medication under consideration. They should be prescribed by a doctor.
Drug Reviews
A rather large number of comments on the treatment of the presented drug are presented on the Internet. But unfortunately, many patients are forced to abandon the use of this tool because of the large number of various contraindications.
People who took this drug write that it is difficult to tolerate by the body, in almost all cases it causes certain side effects that are given in the instructions.
In addition to complaints of side effects, you can find comments in which people write that, despite its toxicity, this medicine helps in the treatment of hepatitis and various infections.
We reviewed the Ribavirin preparation instructions and reviews.