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Ribavirin is an antiviral drug that is used with manufactured forms of alpha interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Ribavirin belongs to a group of drugs called nucleoside analogs, which are believed to prevent viruses from multiplying. Studies have found that the combination of ribavirin and some forms of alpha interferon help to reduce the amount of virus found in a patient's blood (called "viral load").
Ribavirin by itself has not been shown to be effective against the hepatitis C virus, but in combination with forms of alpha interferon, it is much more active than alpha interferon alone.
Ribavirin, however, is known to cause severe birth defects, so it cannot be used by pregnant women or by men whose partners are pregnant. Patients cannot begin combination therapy until a negative pregnancy test has been obtained just before the start of therapy. Moreover, male as well as female patients who are being treated with combination therapy must use at least 2 forms of contraception to avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after treatment stops.
Ribavirin also causes a marked reduction in certain blood cells so patients with a history of heart attacks or significant heart disease should not take ribavirin-based combination therapy.
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