Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Rebetol.
Chemical Name: RIBAVIRIN (RYE-ba-VYE-rin)
Rebetol 200mg is a nucleoside analog antiviral medicine that is used in combination with interferon to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes swelling or enlargement of the liver.
WARNING: USE OF REBETOL 200mg ALONE IS NOT EFFECTIVE FOR TREATING CHRONIC HEPATITIS C INFECTION. Rebetol 200mg must always be used in combination with interferon in order to treat hepatitis C infection. REBETOL 200mg MAY cause serious blood problems (hemolytic anemia), which can cause serious and sometimes fatal heart attacks in patients who have heart disease. Do not take Rebetol 200mg if you have a history of serious or uncontrolled heart problems. REBETOL 200mg MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS and/or fetal death when used during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential who either take Rebetol 200mg or are sexual partners of men who take Rebetol 200mg must have a negative pregnancy test immediately before Rebetol 200mg is started. They must also avoid becoming pregnant during therapy with Rebetol 200mg or within the first 6 months after Rebetol 200mg is stopped. Rebetol 200mg must not be used during pregnancy, nor by women of childbearing age who are not using reliable birth control (contraception). Ribavirin should also not be used by men whose partners are pregnant. AT LEAST 2 RELIABLE FORMS OF EFFECTIVE BIRTH CONTROL must be used during treatment with Rebetol 200mg and for 6 months after treatment with Rebetol 200mg is stopped. SOME MEDICINES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS may interact with Rebetol 200mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE REBETOL 200mg if you are taking didanosine. TELL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (eg, lamivudine) or other antiretroviral medicines for HIV infection, thiopurines (eg, azathiopurine), or anticoagulants (eg, warfarin). This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Rebetol 200mg may interact with other medicines you take. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of cancer, heart problems or heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes, pancreas problems, lung or breathing problems, sarcoidosis, blood problems (eg, anemia, spherocytosis), stomach or bowel bleeding, thyroid problems, HIV infection or other immune system problems, eye or vision problems, anxiety or other mood or mental disorders (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or behaviors, drug or alcohol abuse, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems other than hepatitis C infection (eg, hepatitis B infection), cirrhosis of the liver, decreased liver function, or you have a female sexual partner who is of childbearing age. Tell your doctor if you have used interferon before to treat hepatitis C and it did not work or if you have had an organ transplant. USE OF REBETOL 200mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have certain blood disorders (eg, hemolytic anemia, sickle-cell anemia, thalassemia major) or autoimmune hepatitis (liver problems caused by your body instead of a virus), or a history of serious or uncontrolled heart problems, severe kidney problems, or inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). USE OF REBETOL 200mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while you take Rebetol 200mg or within 6 months after you stop it or if you are a man with a female sexual partner who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant while you take Rebetol 200mg or within 6 months after you stop it. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about taking Rebetol 200mg.
Follow the directions for using Rebetol 200mg provided by your doctor. Rebetol 200mg comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill Rebetol 200mg. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Rebetol 200mg. TAKE REBETOL 200mg with food. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS WHILE YOU ARE TAKING REBETOL 200mg is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT FEMALE PATIENTS AND FEMALE PARTNERS OF MALE PATIENTS take a pregnancy test before Rebetol 200mg is started. A pregnancy test should also be taken every month during treatment and for 6 months after the end of treatment with Rebetol 200mg to make sure no pregnancy occurs during therapy. STORE REBETOL 200mg at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat or light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. KEEP REBETOL 200mg out of the reach of children and away from pets. TAKING REBETOL 200mg AT THE SAME TIME EACH DAY will help you to remember. Take Rebetol 200mg regularly to receive the most benefit from it. CONTINUE TO TAKE REBETOL 200mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF REBETOL 200mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE REBETOL 200mg if you have had an allergic reaction to any ingredient in this product or have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin) to ribavirin or any other ingredient in Rebetol 200mg. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take Rebetol 200mg for longer than prescribed. LAB AND/OR MEDICAL TESTS, such as hemoglobin levels; pregnancy tests in women; complete blood cell counts; eye exams; and heart, liver, kidney, thyroid, or lung function tests, may be done at the start of therapy and during therapy to monitor your progress and to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this product. REBETOL 200mg MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS or blurred vision. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Rebetol 200mg. Using Rebetol 200mg alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. AVOID DRINKING ALCOHOL (eg, beer, wine, liquor); it could worsen liver disease. REBETOL 200mg MAY LOWER YOUR RESISTANCE TO INFECTION. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. TEETH AND GUM PROBLEMS, as well as dry mouth, have occurred in patients taking Rebetol 200mg. BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH CAREFULLY at least twice a day. Also, be sure to have regular dental check-ups. If vomiting occurs while you are taking Rebetol 200mg, be sure to rinse your mouth and clean your teeth afterwards. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes antacids containing aluminum or magnesium or products that contain simethicone. CAUTION IS ADVISED when using Rebetol 200mg in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of Rebetol 200mg, especially anemia. REBETOL 200mg MAY AFFECT growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some instances. Your child's growth should be checked regularly while using Rebetol 200mg. AT LEAST 2 RELIABLE FORMS OF EFFECTIVE BIRTH CONTROL must be used during treatment by men and women who take Rebetol 200mg and for 6 months after Rebetol 200mg is stopped. Men who take Rebetol 200mg should use a condom with spermicide as 1 of the 2 forms of birth control. FOR WOMEN: DO NOT USE REBETOL 200mg if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT contact your doctor immediately. IT IS UNKNOWN IF REBETOL 200mg IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Rebetol 200mg. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, Rebetol 200mg may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Rebetol 200mg include constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; loss of appetite; mild headache, nausea, or vomiting; sinus problems; tiredness; upset stomach; weakness or fatigue. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS who take Rebetol 200mg may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults may also be affected. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Watch patients who take Rebetol 200mg closely. Contact the doctor right away if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms (eg, depression, aggression, anger, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, or any unusual mood or behavior changes) or if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. SEEK MEDCIAL ATTENTION RIGHT AWAY if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: changes in hearing, taste, or vision; chest pain; dark, tarry, or bloody stools; dark urine; decrease in the amount of urine; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; hair loss; joint pain; menstrual problems; mood or mental problems (eg, agitation, aggression, anger, anxiety, decreased concentration, depression, irritability, nervousness); muscle pain or weakness; numbness of an arm or leg; pale stools; prolonged nausea and vomiting; rapid breathing; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe headache; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe stomach or back pain; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; trouble sleeping; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe tiredness, weakness, or fatigue; weight loss; yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Rebetol 200mg is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Rebetol
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE REBETOL 200mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE REBETOL 200mg for other health conditions. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
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