Rebetol: profile and news

EU Label Change for Intron A (Interferon Alfa-2b) Incorporates ... Apr 26, 2006
...pegylated version of interferon alfa-2b called PEG-Intron (peginterferon alfa-2b), for use as monotherapy or in combination therapy with Rebetol(R) (ribavirin ... - DG News

EU Label Change for INTRON(R) A (interferon Alfa-2b) Incorporates ... Apr 25, 2006
...version of interferon alfa-2b called PEG-INTRON (peginterferon alfa-2b), for use as monotherapy or in combination therapy with REBETOL® (ribavirin, USP) for ... - Yahoo! News (press release)

WIN-R Study Demonstrates Efficacy of Shorter PEG-Intron and ... Apr 28, 2006
C virus (HCV) genotype 2 or 3, a shorter, 24-week course of therapy with PEG-Intron(R) (peginterferon alfa-2b) in combination with Rebetol(R) (ribavirin, USP ... - DG News

Schering-Plough's shorter dose hepatitis regimen shows promise May 2, 2006
...for patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3, a shorter, 24-week course of therapy with Schering-Plough's Peg-Intron plus Rebetol was as ... - Pharmaceutical Business Review

WIN-R Study Demonstrates Efficacy of Shorter PEG-INTRON and ... Apr 28, 2006
C virus (HCV) genotype 2 or 3, a shorter, 24-week course of therapy with PEG-INTRON® (peginterferon alfa-2b) in combination with REBETOL® (ribavirin, USP ... - Yahoo! News (press release)

Schering-Plough Reports Financial Results for First Quarter of ... Apr 20, 2006
Sales of the company's PEG-INTRON and REBETOL hepatitis C products rose in the 2006 first quarter, driven by growth in Japan due to a new indication for the ... - PR Newswire (press release),

(PRN) - Leading Western and Eastern European Automotive Logistics ... Apr 28, 2006
...(PRN) - WIN-R Study Demonstrates Efficacy of Shorter PEG-INTRON and REBETOL Regimen in Hepatitis C Patients with Genotype 2 or 3 Virus ... [+. ... - Bolsamania.com,

Schering-Plough profit triples, beats forecasts Apr 20, 2006
Japan. Revenue from Schering-Plough's other hepatitis C drug, the pill Rebetol (ribavirin), rose 22 percent to $78 million. Revenue ... - Reuters

Update 1: Schering-Plough Quarterly Earnings Triple Apr 20, 2006
Global sales of hepatitis C products rose in the first quarter, with Peg-Intron up 16 percent to $196 million, and Rebetol up 22 percent to $78 million. ... - Forbes

Earnings Roundup: First-quarter earnings triple at Schering Apr 20, 2006
Schering-Plough's other hepatitis C drug, the pill Rebetol, rose 22 percent, to $78 million, and cancer drug Temodar grew 25 percent, to $163 million. ... - Newark Star Ledger,

-- Five-Year Follow-Up Data Demonstrate Sustained Viral Response ... Apr 25, 2006
...pegylated version of interferon alfa-2b called PEGINTRON (peginterferon alfa-2b), for use as monotherapy or in combination therapy with REBETOL(R) (ribavirin ... - Europa Press,

Other information

Indication
For the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Pharmacology
Ribavirin is an anti-viral drug active against a number of DNA and RNA viruses. It is a member of the nucleoside antimetabolite drugs that interfere with duplication of the viral genetic material. The drug inhibits the activity of the enzyme RNA dependent RNA polymerase, due to it's resemblence to building blocks of the RNA molecules. The oral form is used in the treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with interferon drugs. The aerosol form is used to treat respiratory syncytial virus-related diseases in children. The primary serious adverse effect of ribavirin is hemolytic anemia, which may worsen preexisting cardiac disease.

Mechanism Of Action
Ribavirin is readily phosphorylated intracellularly by adenosine kinase to ribavirin mono-, di-, and triphosphate metabolites. Ribavirin triphosphate (RTP) is a potent competitive inhibitor of inosine monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase, viral RNA polymerase and messenger RNA (mRNA) guanylyltransferase (viral). Guanylyltranserase inhibition stops the capping of mRNA . These diverse effects result in a marked reduction of intracellular guanosine triphosphate (GTP) pools and inhibition of viral RNA and protein synthesis. Ribavirin is also incorporated into the viral genome causing lethal mutagenesis and a subsequent decrease in specific viral infectivity.

Drug Category
Antiviral; ATC:J05AB04

Brand Names/Synonyms
Biopolymers; Copegus; DRG-0028; HSDB 6513; ICN 1229; ICN-1229; RBV; RIBAV; RTC; RTCA; RTP; Rebetol; Rebetron; Rebretron; Ribamide; Ribamidil; Ribamidyl; Ribasphere; Ribavirin; Ribavirin Capsules; Ribavirin Triphosphate; Ribavirin [Usan:Inn]; Ribavirin-Tp; Ribavirina [Inn-Spanish]; Ribavirine; Ribavirine [Inn-French]; Ribavirinum [Inn-Latin]; Tribavirin; Varazid; Vilona; Viramid; Virazid; Virazole; Virazole 5'-Triphosphate

Dosage Forms
Inhalation solution, Tablets

Absorption
Ribavirin was rapidly and extensively absorbed following oral administration. However, due to first-pass metabolism, the absolute bioavailability averaged 64% (44%).

Interactions