Ribavirin inhalation

What is this medicine?

RIBAVIRIN (rye ba VYE rin) is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in hospitalized infants and children.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for inhalation through the mouth. It is given by specially trained personnel in a hospital setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as infants for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• chest pain, soreness

• fever

• lips or nail beds with bluish color

• seizures

• unusual blood pressure or heart rate

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache

• irritated, watery eyes

• runny nose

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with the following medication:

• didanosine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• abacavir

• azathioprine

• emtricitabine

• lamivudine

• stavudine

• zidovudine

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ribavirin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

Visitors and health care workers are at risk of exposure to this medicine by breathing mist from the air. Talk to the doctor for more information. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding talk with the doctor before visiting a patient who is on this medicine.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.