Copegus, Tablets

Chemical Name: RIBAVIRIN

Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects.

Common uses

This medicine is a nucleoside analog antiviral medicine that is used in combination with interferon to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes swelling or enlargement of the liver.

Before using

WARNING: Ribavirin may cause birth defects and/or fetal death when used during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential and women partners of male patients should have a pregnancy test before this medicine is started. Pregnancy must be excluded before the start of treatment with ribavirin. This medicine must not be used during pregnancy, nor by women of childbearing age who are not using reliable birth control (contraception). Women should also avoid getting pregnant within the first 6 months following completion of treatment with ribavirin. Ribavirin therapy has been associated with anemia. The anemia associated with ribavirin could cause a worsening of heart problems which may result in fatal and nonfatal heart attacks. Patients with serious or unstable heart problems should not use ribavirin. SOME MEDICINES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking didanosine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking zidovudine, lamivudine, stavudine, or warfarin. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including pancreatitis, thyroid problems, recent organ transplant, kidney problems, diabetes, heart problems, other liver problems(such as hepatitis B), mental or mood problems, past/present addiction to drugs or alcohol, cancer, or allergies. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have pancreatitis, severe kidney problems, severe heart problems, blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia or low hemoglobin), or other types hepatitis (such as autoimmune hepatitis), or unstable or severe liver problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A MEDICATION GUIDE. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine should be taken with food. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with food. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT FEMALE PATIENTS AND FEMALE PARTNERS OF MALE PATIENTS take a pregnancy test before this medicine is started. Pregnancy test should also be taken every month during treatment and for 6 months after the end of treatment with this medicine to make sure no pregnancy occurs during therapy. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat or light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same times each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cautions

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including a pregnancy test, complete blood count, liver function test, or kidney function test, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE BLURRED VISION OR DIZZINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MEN AND WOMEN USE TWO EFFECTIVE FORMS OF BIRTH CONTROL WHILE USING THIS MEDICINE. FOR WOMEN: DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT contact your doctor immediately. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea; vomiting; headache; dizziness; blurred vision; stomach upset; trouble sleeping; sore throat; cough; and flu-like symptoms (such as fever or muscle aches). If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, rash, or itching. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience unusual tiredness and fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of eyes, thoughts of hurting yourself, mental or mood changes, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, muscle pain, joint pain, easy bruising or unusual bleeding, or severe stomach or back pain with nausea and vomiting. AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE IS UNLIKELY, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include severe rash, severe itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions.

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.