What Are the Side Effects of Ribavirin Treatment?

[Guest guest]

What Are the Side Effects of Ribavirin Treatment?

Question: What Are the Side Effects of Ribavirin Treatment?

Answer: Ribavirin (also known as Copegus or Rebetol) is an antiviral drug that treats hepatitis C and is always prescribed with an interferon (usually peginterferon). Side effects from the combination of ribavirin and interferon (or peginterferon) are common and some people can have them so severe that they interfere with treatment. Since ribavirin can't be used alone as a hepatitis C treatment, the side effects are actually from the combination of ribavirin and an interferon. Here is a list of the most common side effects:

Anemia. Anemia is a blood disorder where there aren't enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. The result is that you're tired. After about two weeks of ribavirin treatment, about 10% of people develop a severe form of anemia. Headache Irritability and anxiety Depression. Sometimes people taking ribavirin develop severe depression and can even have suicidal thoughts. These side effects, along with general irritability, are unofficially known as Riba Rage, even though they're really caused by the interferon. For most people, these side effects can be controlled with antidepressants or other medicines. It's important to look for signs of behavioral change during treatment so your doctor can help control any developing depression as quickly as possible. For people with known psychiatric problems, it's possible your doctor will want to start you on a preventative therapy before you start treatment. Some people with severe depression or a history of suicidality may not be able to start treatment of hepatitis C. Alopecia (hair loss) Itchiness Insomnia (having trouble sleeping) Arthralgia (joint pain) Myalgia (muscle pain) Anorexia (loss of appetite) Neutropenia. Neutropenia is a blood disorder caused by a loss of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that destroys bacteria. Neutropenia is probably the result of decreased bone marrow function, which the combination therapy suppresses, and may mean your body will have trouble fighting off bacterial infections. Nausea and vomiting Fever Chills Fatigue (tiredness)

Some people may experience many more side effects.

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/treatment/f/RibavirinReact.htm

[Guest guest]

Hi Don,thanks for this. do you happen to know which is worse the riba or the interferon as far as the fever goes? for me it is the shot, as it always gives a fever, but goes away at some point. I don't think I get the fever from the ribas, or maybe I dosometimes I wonder which drug to blame.thanks!ny

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thats a hard question.

I think if you ask 10 people that question, you would get 10 different opinions.

For you the shot is bad, as you say.

For it seems to be nothing.

I am truely sorry that I cannot give you a better answer.

Im not sure that there is one.

Im hoping that one of these days your body will become more used to the drugs, and you will feel less impact.

I know that this treatment is very hard on you, but if you clear, it will all be worth it.

Im still blasting you with lotsa 'feel better' and kill the dragon energy.

Please, stay the course, my friend.

love

don in ks

From: Barrett <barrjohnm@...>Subject: Re: [ ] What Are the Side Effects of Ribavirin Treatment? Date: Saturday, July 3, 2010, 10:12 PM

Hi Don,thanks for this. do you happen to know which is worse the riba or the interferon as far as the fever goes? for me it is the shot, as it always gives a fever, but goes away at some point. I don't think I get the fever from the ribas, or maybe I dosometimes I wonder which drug to blame.thanks!ny

[Guest guest]

Hi Don,yeah I thought this would be tough and would be depended on the person, just thought I would ask. Yeah for me it is the shot that is the worst, ut the ribas also cause issues, for me it is jus tthe shot that kicks me down! No worries, I think that this is tough and depends on each person.Yeah I hoping that oo! That my body starts to react better to the drugs, one day they will I am sure.Yes for sure if I clear everything is worth it, and for me I hang tough as I have to try to do whatever I can to beat the virus.thanks so much for the energy I appreciate it, I will stay on course no matter what!thanks so much,ny

[Guest guest]

I was reading somewhere that neither drug is so horrible but when together that is what causes the Riba rage and hard side effects. They don't do that by themselves only together. Cinder

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From: Barrett <barrjohnm@...>Subject: Re: [ ] What Are the Side Effects of Ribavirin Treatment? Date: Saturday, July 3, 2010, 11:17 PM

Hi Don,yeah I thought this would be tough and would be depended on the person, just thought I would ask. Yeah for me it is the shot that is the worst, ut the ribas also cause issues, for me it is jus tthe shot that kicks me down! No worries, I think that this is tough and depends on each person.Yeah I hoping that oo! That my body starts to react better to the drugs, one day they will I am sure.Yes for sure if I clear everything is worth it, and for me I hang tough as I have to try to do whatever I can to beat the virus.thanks so much for the energy I appreciate it, I will stay on course no matter what!thanks so much,ny