Rebetol - Ribavirin - Oral Capsules Brand Drug

General Information

• Below is miscellaneous information regarding Rebetol.
• Rebetol
• rye-buh-VYE-rin

Read Before Using Rebetol (precautions)

• This medication is not recommended for use if you have the following medical conditions.

What To Do In Case Of Medical Emergency

• Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency.
• For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Warning

• Ribavirin may cause birth defects and/or fetal death when used during pregnancy.
• Women of childbearing potential and their male partners must use two forms of reliable birth control (contraception) during treatment with this product and for 6 months after this medication has been stopped to avoid pregnancy.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist for additional information.

Medicinal Applications

• Ribavirin 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.

Possible Side Effects

• Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, and flu-like symptoms (for example, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches) may occur.
• If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
• Promptly tell your doctor if any of these side effects occur.

What To Do In Case Of Missed Dose

• If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
• If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
• Do not double the dose to catch up.

Usage Instructions

• Take this medication by mouth usually twice daily with or without food or as directed by your doctor.
• It is important to take this medication consistently either with food or without food.
• Taking it inconsistently (sometimes with food, sometimes without food) may decrease the effectiveness and/or increase your risk of side effects.
• It may be best to take this medicine with food (more medicine might be absorbed into your bloodstream).
• The dosage and length of treatment is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to therapy.
• Antiviral medications work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level.
• Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
• It is recommended that female patients or female partners of male patients take a pregnancy test before this medication is started.
• Refer to the pregnancy warning in the Precautions section (below).
• Drink plenty of water while being treated with this medication; doing so will decrease the risk of serious side effects.

Rebetol Miscellaneous Notes

• Do not share this medication with others.
• Laboratory and/or medical tests (for example, pregnancy tests, blood counts, hemoglobin) will be performed to monitor your progress and for side effects.

Rebetol Storage Instructions

• Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
• Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted.

Drug Compatibility Recommendations

• Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially.

Overdose

• If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.