General Info:

Ribavirin (Rebetol) is an antiviral medication. Ribavirin (Rebetol) must be used together with an interferon alfa product to treat chronic hepatitis C.

Ribavirin (Rebetol) has been approved in the United States since 1998 as part of a single-package combination therapy (known as Rebetron) that includes Ribavirin (Rebetol) capsules and Intron A injection. The new stand-alone package of Ribavirin (Rebetol)capsules provides patients and physicians with the option of individualized Ribavirin (Rebetol) and interferon-based therapies.

In combination with the interferon drugs Intron A or PEG-Intron, Ribavirin (Rebetol) is prescribed to treat chronic hepatitis C. Ribavirin (Rebetol) is always used with one of the other drugs. By itself, it is ineffective against hepatitis C.