Rebetol is an antiviral used in combination with interferon to treat ongoing hepatitis C. It works by reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in your body, which may help your liver recover. This drug is not a cure for hepatitis C infection, and it does not prevent the spread of Hepatitis C to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. This drug may also be used to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Directions
Take Rebetol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth, usually twice daily for 24 to 48 weeks. Swallow this medication whole. You may take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and take this medication the same way with every dose.
Precautions
Before taking Rebetol you should talk with your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, hepatitis B infection, blood cell disorder, cancer, psoriasis, diabetes, sarcoidosis, thyroid disorder, hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV or AIDS), heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, depression or suicide attempt, drug or alcohol addiction, liver or other organ transplant. This drug may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can increase the risk of damage to your liver. Elderly people may be at greater risk for anemia while using this drug.
Contraindications
You should not take Rebetol if you are allergic to ribavirin, or if you have severe liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, hemoglobin disorder (anemia), thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia), sickle-cell anemia, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or a man whose female sexual partner is pregnant.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, trouble sleeping, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, cough, hair loss, low appetite, weight loss or gain, dry skin, and changes in taste or hearing, fast or irregular heartbeat, weakness, unusual tiredness, trouble breathing, joint pain, dark urine, yellowing of eyes or skin, vision changes, chest pain, rash, swelling of the face, tongue, throat, itching, blood diarrhea, black stools, vomiting, sleep problems (insomnia), hallucinations. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: zalcitabine, abacavir, lamivudine, didanosine, stavudine, tenofovir, zidovudine. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.
Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are bleeding, urinating less than usual, chest pain, heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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