Drug Name

Copegus (Ribavirin)

Drug Uses

Copegus capsules are used in combination with interferon to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C, who possess not been treated with interferon previously, or who possess had a return of hepatitis C, following successful treatment with interferon.

How Taken

Take this medication by mouth usually twice daily with food or as directed by your doctor. The dosage as well as length of treatment is based on your weight, health examination condition, as well as response to therapy. Antiviral medications work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. It is recommended that womanly patients or womanly partners of masculine patients take a pregnancy test before starting this medication. A pregnancy test should as well as be used every month while using this medication as well as for 6 months after treatment ends to make sure no pregnancy occurs. Drink plenty of water while being treated with this medication; drinking water will decrease the risk of humorless side effects. Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions you may possess about this medicine.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Copegus is an antiviral drug. It is used in combination with interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Although the exact mechanism of its action is unknown, it is thought to interfere with the production and/or action of viral DNA as well as RNA which are critical to the survival as well as multiplication of the virus.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light as well as moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children as well as pets.

Warnings/Precautions

This medication may cause birth defects and/or fetal death when used during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential as well as their masculine partners must take two forms of reliable birth control (contraception such as latex condoms, birth control medication) while using this medication as well as for 6 months after treatment ends to avoid pregnancy. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for additional information. This medication should not be used incase you possess confident health examination conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist incase you have: very bad heart disease, kidney disease, blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia, abridged hemoglobin), other types of hepatitis (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your health examination history, especially of: other liver problems, heart problems, breathing problems, pancreas problems (e.g., pancreatitis), diabetes, any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; take caution engaging in activities requiring alertness suchas driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects. Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially the mental/mood changes, including very bad depression or suicidal thoughts. This medication must not be used during pregnancy (see as well as Warning section). It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.

Likely Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, as well as flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches) may occur. Incase any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these side effects occur: hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, rash, itching. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these humorless side effects occur: unusual tiredness as well as weakness (fatigue), not light urine, yellowing eyes, mental/mood changes (including very bad depression or suicidal thoughts), trouble breathing. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these unlikely but humorless side effects occur: chest pain, muscle pain, joint pain, rapid breathing, stomach pain, easy bruising or unusual bleeding. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate health examination attention incase it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: very bad rash, very bad itching, swelling, very bad dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects, not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or health examination tests (e.g., pregnancy tests, blood counts, hemoglobin) will be performed to monitor your progress as well as for side effects.