Summary

Commonly reported side effects of ribavirin include: hemolytic anemia, decreased hemoglobin, insomnia, dyspnea, lack of concentration, emotional lability, and irritability. Other side effects include: nervousness. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to ribavirin: oral capsule, oral tablet. Other dosage forms:

• inhalation powder for solution

Serious side effects of Ribavirin

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

• 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

• 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 Ribavirin

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

• 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

• 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

The most common serious or life-threatening side effects induced or aggravated by ribavirin 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

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]

Respiratory side effects associated with oral ribavirin 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]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included reactions such as urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, and anaphylaxis in patients treated with alfa interferon and ribavirin. 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

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]

Grover's disease (suprabasal transient acantholytic dermatosis) secondary to ribavirin 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]

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 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 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

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

Gastrointestinal side effects associated with oral ribavirin 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]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects associated with oral ribavirin 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

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

Nervous system side effects associated with oral ribavirin 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]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects associated with oral ribavirin 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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]