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RibaTab Side Effects

Generic name: ribavirin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 28, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about RibaTab Side Effects associated with ribavirin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name RibaTab.

Applies to ribavirin: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Other dosage forms:

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet; capsule; solution)

Embryo-fetal Toxicity, Hemolytic Anemia, and Monotherapy Not Recommended. Significant teratogenic and embryocidal effects have been demonstrated in all animal species exposed to ribavirin.

In addition, ribavirin has a multiple-dose half-life of 12 days and may persist in non-plasma compartments for as long as 6 months.

Therefore, ribavirin therapy is contraindicated in women who are pregnant and in the male partners of women who are pregnant.

Avoid pregnancy and use effective contraception during therapy and for 9 months after completion of treatment in female patients and for 6 months in female partners of male patients who are taking ribavirin therapy.Hemolytic anemia has been reported with ribavirin therapy.

The anemia associated with ribavirin therapy may result in worsening of cardiac disease that has led to fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarctions.

Patients with a history of significant or unstable cardiac disease should not be treated with ribavirin.Ribavirin monotherapy is not effective for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection and should not be used alone for this indication.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can bear children, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. This medicine may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 9 months after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 6 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant or your partner has become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not use Copegus® in combination with didanosine (Videx®, Videx® EC). Using these medicines together may cause serious medical problems.

Ribavirin may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you, your child, or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have back, leg, or stomach pains, bleeding gums, chills, dark urine, difficulty breathing, fever, general body swelling, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, nosebleeds, pale skin, sore throat, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a blood disorder called anemia.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble with breathing, trouble with swallowing, or any swelling of the hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, fever or chills, hives, red skin lesions, a severe skin rash or acne, or sores or ulcers on the skin while you are using this medicine.

Pancreatitis may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

This medicine may cause lung or breathing problems (eg, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension, and pneumonia). Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, chills, cough, fever, general feeling of discomfort or illness, sneezing, thickening of bronchial secretions, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness.

You should not drink alcoholic beverages (including beer, wine, or liquor) while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you or your teenager drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Check with your doctor if blurred vision, decreased vision, or any other change in vision occurs while you or your child are using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Peginterferon injection combined with ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets in the blood, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you or your child can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

This medicine may cause teeth and gum problems. This medicine may cause dryness of the mouth, and a dry mouth may damage your teeth and gums if you take the medicine for a long time. To help prevent this condition, carefully brush your teeth at least two times a day and have regular visits with your dentist. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute.

Some patients who have used this medicine have had vomiting. If you vomit during your treatment, rinse your mouth out with water. This may also help prevent damage to your teeth and gums.

Ribavirin used together with injectable peginterferon alfa-2a or peginterferon alfa-2b may affect your child's growth. Your doctor may need to check your child's height and weight during and after treatment with these medicines.

This medicine could cause infertility in men. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of RibaTab

Along with its needed effects, ribavirin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ribavirin:

More common side effects

  • anxiety
  • black, tarry stools
  • body aches or pain
  • chest pain or tightness
  • congestion
  • cough or hoarseness
  • crying
  • depersonalization
  • diarrhea
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • discouragement
  • dry mouth
  • dryness of the throat
  • dysphoria
  • euphoria
  • feeling sad or empty
  • feeling unusually cold
  • fever or chills
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • headache
  • irregular heartbeats
  • irritability
  • joint pain
  • lack of appetite
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • lower back or side pain
  • mental depression
  • muscle aches and pains
  • nausea
  • nervousness
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • paranoia
  • poor concentration
  • quick to react or overreact emotionally
  • rapidly changing moods
  • restlessness
  • runny nose
  • shaking
  • shivering
  • sleeplessness
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • sweating
  • tender, swollen glands in the neck
  • trouble breathing
  • trouble with concentrating
  • trouble with sleeping
  • trouble with swallowing
  • unable to sleep
  • upper abdominal or stomach pain
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • voice changes
  • vomiting

Less common side effects

  • bleeding gums
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • constipation
  • depressed mood
  • dry skin and hair
  • feeling cold
  • hair loss
  • husky voice
  • muscle cramps and stiffness
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • right upper abdominal or stomach fullness
  • slowed heartbeat
  • weight gain

Incidence not known

  • blistering, flaking, or peeling of the skin

Other side effects of RibaTab

Some side effects of ribavirin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • acid or sour stomach
  • being forgetful
  • belching
  • blurred vision
  • bone pain
  • change in taste or bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
  • cracked, scaly skin
  • crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
  • difficulty with moving
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  • hair loss or thinning of the hair
  • heartburn
  • indigestion
  • lack or loss of strength
  • menstrual changes
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  • rash
  • sensation of spinning
  • sneezing
  • stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
  • stuffy nose
  • swelling
  • swollen joints
  • weight loss

Less common side effects

  • back pain
  • burning, dry, or itching eyes
  • discharge, excessive tearing
  • feeling of warmth
  • redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  • redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
  • skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing

Incidence not known

  • change in hearing
  • loss of hearing

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ribavirin: compounding powder, inhalation powder for reconstitution, oral capsule, oral solution, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common serious or life-threatening side effects induced or aggravated by ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a have included depression, suicide, relapse of drug abuse/overdose, and bacterial infections in less than 1% of patients and hepatic decompensation in 2% of chronic hepatitis C (CHC)-HIV coinfected patients. The most common serious side effect in CHC monoinfected (3%) and CHC-HIV coinfected (5%) patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets was bacterial infection (e.g., sepsis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, pyelonephritis, pneumonia). Common side effects reported in CHC-HIV coinfected patients receiving ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a have included neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, weight decrease, and mood alteration.

The most common side effects reported in patients receiving ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b were injection site inflammation/reaction, fatigue/asthenia, headache, rigors, fevers, nausea, myalgia, and anxiety/emotional lability/irritability. The most common serious side effects associated with peginterferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin capsules/oral solution were depression and suicidal ideation in less than 1% of patients. The most common fatal side effects reported in patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin capsules/oral solution were cardiac arrest, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt in less than 1% of patients.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included dyspnea (up to 26%), cough (up to 23%), and exertional dyspnea (up to 7%). Pharyngitis (up to 13%), rhinitis (up to 8%), and sinusitis (up to 12%) have been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b. Pulmonary symptoms (including dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, and fatal pneumonia), sarcoidosis, and exacerbation of sarcoidosis have been reported with oral ribavirin in combination with alpha interferon. Pulmonary hypertension has been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with interferon alfa-2b or peginterferon alfa-2b. Significant deterioration of pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma and minor pulmonary function abnormalities in healthy volunteers have been reported with aerosolized ribavirin. Asthmatic patients have also reported dyspnea and chest soreness with aerosolized ribavirin. Worsening of respiratory status, bronchospasm, hypoventilation, cyanosis, dyspnea, bronchoconstriction, bacterial pneumonia, cough, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, apnea, atelectasis, hypoxia, and ventilator dependence have been reported with aerosolized ribavirin. Rhinitis and pharyngitis, as well as several cases of bronchospasm and/or chest pain (usually in individuals with underlying reactive airway disease), have been reported in health care workers exposed to aerosolized ribavirin.[Ref]

Mechanically ventilated patients may be predisposed to respiratory deterioration.

Severe hypoxia was described in a case report of a previously healthy infant who experienced a dramatic drop in transcutaneous oxygen within 1 minute of receiving ribavirin. Oxygen levels returned to normal promptly following discontinuation of therapy. However, the infant later died, and postmortem examination revealed a high pulmonary arterial pressure and a patent ductus arteriosus. A definitive causal relationship was not established, and equipment failure was not specifically ruled out by the authors.

Most signs and symptoms reported in exposed health care workers resolved within minutes to hours of stopping close exposure to aerosolized ribavirin.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included reactions such as urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, and anaphylaxis in patients treated with alfa interferon and ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) Severe skin reactions (including vesiculobullous eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and exfoliative dermatitis/erythroderma) have been reported in patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Serious skin reactions have been reported during postmarketing experience in patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Grover's disease (suprabasal transient acantholytic dermatosis) secondary to ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) use was confirmed upon drug rechallenge in a 55-year-old man with chronic active hepatitis C.

Rash associated with aerosolized ribavirin usually resolved within hours of stopping treatment in patients and within minutes to hours of stopping close exposure in health care workers.[Ref]

Dermatologic side effects have included rash and skin irritation from prolonged drug contact. Alopecia (up to 36%), pruritus (up to 29%), dermatitis (up to 16%), dry skin (up to 24%), increased sweating (up to 11%), rash (up to 34%), and eczema (up to 5%) have been associated with oral ribavirin in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b. Grover's disease has been reported in a 55-year-old man 2 weeks after the start of ribavirin therapy. A photoallergic skin reaction was reported to occur 4 months after initiation of ribavirin treatment, and recurred approximately 24 hours after reexposure to ribavirin. Skin disorders associated with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a have included lichenoid eruptions and maculopapular rashes. Rash has been reported in patients treated with and health care workers exposed to aerosolized ribavirin. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Bigeminy, bradycardia, and tachycardia have been reported in patients with underlying congenital heart disease.[Ref]

Cardiovascular side effects have included angina, arrhythmia, and pulmonary embolism in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarctions have been reported in patients with anemia due to ribavirin capsules/oral solution. Cardiac arrest, hypotension, bradycardia, bigeminy, tachycardia, hypertension (usually slight increases in blood pressure), and digitalis toxicity have been reported with aerosolized ribavirin.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included anemia (up to 35%), lymphopenia (up to 14%), neutropenia (up to 40%), thrombocytopenia (up to 8%), and leukopenia (up to 10%). Hemolytic anemia is the most significant toxicity of ribavirin. Aplastic anemia and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura have been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Pancytopenia (marked decreases in red blood cells, neutrophils, and platelets) and bone marrow suppression have been reported following concomitant administration of pegylated interferon plus oral ribavirin and azathioprine. Aplastic anemia has been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with interferon alfa-2b or peginterferon alfa-2b. Pure red cell aplasia has been reported during postmarketing experience with oral ribavirin in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b. Cases of anemia (type unspecified), reticulocytosis, and hemolytic anemia associated with aerosolized ribavirin have been reported during postmarketing experience and have been reversible with drug discontinuation.[Ref]

Hemolytic anemia is the primary toxicity of ribavirin therapy. Hemoglobin levels generally declined within the first 1 to 2 weeks of oral therapy. Cardiac and pulmonary adverse effects associated with anemia have been reported in 10% of patients.

Hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL was reported in 13% of patients receiving ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a. Additional laboratory abnormalities during treatment with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a or interferon alfa-2b have included decreased neutrophils (1000 to less than 1500 cells/mm3: up to 38%; 500 to less than 1000 cells/mm3: up to 49%; less than 500 cells/mm3: up to 5%), platelets (50,000 to less than 75,000 cells/mm3: up to 11%; 20,000 to less than 50,000 cells/mm3: up to 5%), and hemoglobin (8.5 to 9.9 g/dL: 11%; less than 8.5 g/dL: up to 2%).

Changes in laboratory values during treatment with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b have included decreased hemoglobin (9.5 to 10.9 g/dL: up to 32%; 8 to 9.4 g/dL: up to 5%; 6.5 to 7.9 g/dL: up to 0.2%), leukocytes [2 to 2.9 x 10(9)/L: up to 46%; 1.5 to 1.9 x 10(9)/L: up to 24%; 1 to 1.4 x 10(9)/L: up to 5%], neutrophils [1 to 1.49 x 10(9)/L: up to 42%; 0.75 to 0.99 x 10(9)/L: up to 25%; 0.5 to 0.74 x 10(9)/L: up to 18%; less than 0.5 x 10(9)/L: up to 11%], and platelets [70 to 99 x 10(9)/L: up to 15%; 50 to 69 x 10(9)/L: up to 3%; 30 to 49 x 10(9)/L: up to 0.2%; less than 30 x 10(9)/L: up to 1%].[Ref]

Ocular

Conjunctivitis associated with aerosolized ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) usually resolved within hours of stopping treatment in patients. Most signs and symptoms reported in exposed health care workers resolved within minutes to hours of stopping close exposure to aerosolized ribavirin.

Eye and conjunctival irritation resolved spontaneously when the caregivers left the hospital. In five of six cases, the caregivers were wearing contact lenses. After the staff stopped wearing contact lenses while caring for patients receiving aerosolized ribavirin, the reactions did not occur.[Ref]

Ocular side effects associated with oral ribavirin in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included blurred vision (up to 6%). Corneal ulcer has been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Conjunctivitis (up to 5%) has been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b. Serous retinal detachment has been reported during postmarketing experience with oral ribavirin in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, interferon alfa-2b, or peginterferon alfa-2b. Eye irritation and conjunctivitis have been reported in patients treated with and health care workers exposed to aerosolized ribavirin. Lacrimation has been reported in health care workers exposed to aerosolized ribavirin. Damage to contact lenses after prolonged close exposure to aerosolized ribavirin has also been reported.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included nausea (up to 47%), nausea and vomiting (up to 29%), diarrhea (up to 22%), vomiting (up to 14%), abdominal pain (up to 13%), dry mouth (up to 12%), dyspepsia (up to 16%), and constipation (5%). Peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, and colitis have been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Nausea has been reported in health care workers exposed to aerosolized ribavirin.[Ref]

Most signs and symptoms reported in exposed health care workers resolved within minutes to hours of stopping close exposure to aerosolized ribavirin.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included myalgia (up to 64%), arthralgia (up to 34%), musculoskeletal pain (up to 28%), and back pain (5%). Myositis has been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. At least 6 cases of mild to moderate gout have been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included headache (up to 66%), dizziness (excluding vertigo; 26%), and memory impairment (up to 6%). Peripheral neuropathy, coma, and cerebral hemorrhage have been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Taste perversion (up to 9%) has been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b. Hearing impairment and hearing loss have been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a. Vertigo and hearing disorder have been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with interferon alfa-2b or peginterferon alfa-2b. Headache and dizziness have been reported in health care workers exposed to aerosolized ribavirin. Seizures have been reported with experimental intravenous ribavirin.[Ref]

Most signs and symptoms reported in exposed health care workers resolved within minutes to hours of stopping close exposure to aerosolized ribavirin.[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included anorexia (up to 32%) and weight decrease (up to 29%). Diabetes mellitus has been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Falsely low hemoglobin A1c levels have been reported. Dehydration has been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a. Diabetes has been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with interferon alfa-2b or peginterferon alfa-2b.[Ref]

Falsely low hemoglobin A1c levels may be due to ribavirin-induced hemolysis decreasing the number of circulating glycosylated hemoglobin molecules.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included irritability/anxiety/nervousness/emotional lability (up to 47%), insomnia (up to 41%), depression (up to 36%), concentration impairment (up to 21%), mood alteration (up to 9%), and agitation (up to 8%). Suicide, suicidal ideation, psychosis, aggression, anxiety, drug abuse/overdose, psychotic disorder, and hallucination have been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin tablets. Impairment of desire and the potential to affect sexual satisfaction have been reported with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a in male patients.[Ref]

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects associated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b have included hypothyroidism (up to 5%).[Ref]

Other

Other side effects frequently associated with ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a have included influenza-like symptoms (such as fatigue, pyrexia, myalgia, headache, and rigors). Fatigue/asthenia (up to 70%), pyrexia (up to 55%), rigors (up to 48%), chills (up to 39%), influenza-like illness (up to 18%), unspecified pain (up to 13%), right upper quadrant pain (up to 12%), pain (up to 10%), chest pain (up to 9%), and malaise (up to 6%) have been associated with oral ribavirin in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b. Hyperuricemia (in association with hemolysis; up to 38%) and flushing (up to 4%) have been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b. Asthenia has been reported with experimental intravenous ribavirin.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included hepatic dysfunction, fatty liver, and cholangitis in less than 1% of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) tablets. Hepatic decompensation has been reported in 2% of CHC-HIV coinfected patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a in combination with ribavirin tablets. Hyperbilirubinemia (in association with hemolysis; up to 14%), hepatomegaly (4%), and increased ALT have been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b.[Ref]

Changes in laboratory values during treatment with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b have included increased total bilirubin (1.5 to 3 mg/dL: up to 32%; 3.1 to 6 mg/dL: up to 3%; 6.1 to 12 mg/dL: up to 0.4%) and ALT (2 x baseline: up to 0.6%; 2.1 to 5 x baseline: up to 3%).[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects associated with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) tablets have included bacterial infection (e.g., sepsis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, pyelonephritis, pneumonia) in 3% of CHC and 5% of CHC-HIV patients and autoimmune phenomena (such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis) in less than 1% of patients. Resistance mechanism disorders (overall: up to 12%), including viral infection (12%) and fungal infection (up to 6%), have been associated with oral ribavirin in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, or interferon alfa-2b. Liver and renal graft rejections have been reported during postmarketing experience with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects associated with ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a have included sexual dysfunction in male patients. Menstrual disorder has been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b.[Ref]

Local

Local side effects have included injection site reactions (up to 58%) in patients treated with oral ribavirin (the active ingredient contained in RibaTab) in combination with interferon alfa-2b, peginterferon alfa-2b, or peginterferon alfa-2a. Injection site inflammation (up to 25%) has been reported with ribavirin capsules/oral solution in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b. Skin disorders associated with ribavirin tablets in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a have included cutaneous necrosis at peginterferon alfa-2a injection sites. Hyperpigmentation around/over peginterferon alfa-2a injection sites has been reported.[Ref]

See also:

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Further information

RibaTab side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.