Ribavirin and Interferon alfa-2b recombinant
Ribavirin and Interferon alfa-2b recombinant
Ribavirin and Interferon alfa-2b recombinant
( rye-bah- VYE-rin/in-ter- FEER-on)
Pregnancy Category: X Rebetron (Rx)

Classification: Drugs for chronic hepatitis C

See Also: See also Ribavirin and Interferon alfa-2b recombinant. Note: Rebetron is a combination package containing ribavirin and interferon alfa-2b recombinant. Thus, the information for each drug is to be consulted.

Action/Kinetics: The mechanism of action of the combination in inhibiting the hepatitis C virus is not known.

Uses: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in clients with compensated liver disease who either have relapsed following alpha interferon therapy or have previously been untreated with alpha-interferon therapy.

Contraindications: Pregnancy, in those who may become pregnant, and in male partners of women who are pregnant. Lactation. Hypersensitivity, or history thereof, to alpha interferons and/or ribavirin. Use in clients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Special Concerns: Use with extreme caution in those with pre-existing psychiatric disorders who report a history of severe depression. Use with caution if C _CR is less than 50 mL/min or in pre-existing cardiac disease. Safety and efficacy have not been determined in children less than 18 years of age.

Side Effects: See individual drugs; selected treatment-emergent side effects follow. Hematologic: Anemia. GI: N&V;, anorexia, dyspepsia. CNS: Depression, suicidal behavior, dizziness, insomnia, irritability, emotional lability, impaired concentration, nervousness. Respiratory: Dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonitis, pneumonia, sinusitis. Musculoskeletal: Myalgia, arthralgia, musculoskeletal pain. Dermatologic: Alopecia, rash, pruritus. Body as a whole: Headache, fatigue, rigors, fever, flu-like symptoms, asthenia, chest pain. Miscellaneous: Taste perversion, injection site inflammation or reaction.

Laboratory Test Alterations: Bilirubin, uric acid. Hemoglobin, neutrophils.

Drug Interactions: See individual drugs.

How Supplied: Combination packages containing ribavirin (Rebetol) capsules, 200 mg, and interferon alfa-2b recombinant (Introl A) injectable.

Dosage
?Capsules (Rebetol), SC (Intron A) Chronic hepatitis C.
Adults, 75 kg or less: Rebetol: 2 x 200 mg capsules in the a.m. and 3 x 200 mg capsules in the p.m. Intron A: 3 million I.U. 3 times weekly SC. Adults, more than 75 kg: Rebetol: 3 x 200 mg capsules in the a.m. and 3 x 200 mg capsules in the p.m. Intron A: 3 million I.U. three times a week SC. Reduce the dose of Rebetol by 600 mg daily and Intron A by 1.5 million I.U. three times a week if the hemoglobin is less than 10 g/dL.