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Copegus (ribavirin)
Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral RNA synthesis by interfering with the viral polymerase and depleting guanosine nucleotide pools.
Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral RNA synthesis by interfering with the viral polymerase and depleting guanosine nucleotide pools. Used for Chronic hepatitis C (in combination with interferon alfa or direct-acting antivirals), Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in hospitalized patients.
At a glance
| Generic name | Copegus (ribavirin) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | COPEGUS [the Hoffman-La Roche brand name for ribavirin] |
| Sponsor | Hoffmann-La Roche |
| Drug class | Nucleoside analog antiviral |
| Target | Viral RNA polymerase; IMPDH (inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Virology/Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Ribavirin is a guanosine analog that gets incorporated into viral RNA, causing mutations and chain termination. It also inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), reducing intracellular guanosine triphosphate (GTP) pools, which impairs viral replication. This dual mechanism makes it effective against a broad range of RNA viruses.
Approved indications
- Chronic hepatitis C (in combination with interferon alfa or direct-acting antivirals)
- Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in hospitalized patients
Common side effects
- Hemolytic anemia
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dyspnea
- Teratogenicity/embryocidal effects
Key clinical trials
- ARN-75039 Lassa Fever Treatment in West Africa (PHASE2)
- ISTH/ANRS 0409s INTEGRATE Lassa Fever Study (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Efficacy and Safety of MP-424, Peginterferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin in Relapser Genotype 2 Hepatitis C Infected Patients (PHASE3)
- Efficacy and Safety of MP-424, Interferon Beta (IFN Beta), and Ribavirin(RBV) in Treatment-Naïve or Having Received Interferon Based Therapy With Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) (PHASE3)
- A Phase 1 Study of MP-424, Peginterferon Alfa 2b, and Ribavirin in Hepatitis C (PHASE1)
- Efficacy and Safety of MP-424, Peginterferon Alfa-2b, and Ribavirin in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Who Relapsed After Previous Interferon Based Therapy (PHASE3)
- Efficacy and Safety of MP-424/Peginterferon Alfa-2b/Ribavirin Combination in Treatment-Naïve Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C (PHASE3)
- Efficacy and Safety of MP-424, Peginterferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin in Chronic Hepatitis C Who Have Not Achieved an Undetectable HCV RNA Level With Previous Interferon Based Therapy (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Copegus (ribavirin) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Copegus (ribavirin) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Hoffmann-La Roche portfolio CI