RIBAVIRIN AND INTERFERON ALFA-2B, RECOMBINANT (Systemic)
Brand Names : Rebetron
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ribavirin and interferon
alfa-2b combination, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to alpha interferons or ribavirin.
Pregnancy - Ribavirin should not be used while pregnant, if
you plan on becoming pregnant, or by men whose female partners are pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether ribavirin or interferon
alfa-2b passes into breast milk. However, because these medicines may cause
serious side effects, breast-feeding may not be recommended while you are
receiving them. Discuss with your doctor whether or not you should breast-feed
while you are receiving this combination medicine.
Children - Studies on this combination medicine have been
done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing
use of ribavirin and recombinant interferon alfa-2b combination in children
younger than 18 years of age with use in other age group.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of ribavirin and interferon alfa-2b combination medicine in the elderly with
use in other age group.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of ribavirin and interferon alfa-2b. Make sure
you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Anemia, severe or
-
Autoimmune hepatitis or
-
Bleeding disorders
- May worsen with ribavirin and/or recombinant interferon alfa-2b
-
Diabetes (increased sugar in blood) - May increase the risk of
developing eye problems
-
Heart disease - May worsen with ribavirin and/or recombinant
interferon alfa-2b
-
Hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus infection or
-
Hepatitis C which has worsened or
-
Hepatitis C which did not get better when treated with interferon
alone - Safety and effectiveness in these conditions are unknown.
-
High blood pressure - May increase the risk of developing eye
problems
-
Kidney problems - May worsen with ribavirin and/or recombinant
interferon alfa-2b
-
Liver or other organ transplant - Safety and effectiveness in
these conditions are unknown.
-
Lung problems
- May worsen with ribavirin and/or recombinant interferon alfa-2b
-
Mental problems (or history of) - May result in depression, aggressive,
violent and suicidal behavior
-
Problem with immune system or
-
Psoriasis (inflammatory skin problem) or
-
Thyroid problem - May worsen with ribavirin and/or recombinant
interferon alfa-2b
-
Virus infections, other - Use of ribavirin alone is not recommended
|