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Ribavirin (R)
Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral RNA synthesis by interfering with guanosine triphosphate pools and viral polymerase activity.
Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral RNA synthesis by interfering with guanosine triphosphate pools and viral polymerase activity. Used for Chronic hepatitis C (in combination with interferon-alpha or direct-acting antivirals), Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, Lassa fever.
At a glance
| Generic name | Ribavirin (R) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | COPEGUS |
| Sponsor | Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Ireland |
| Drug class | Nucleoside analog antiviral |
| Target | Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; guanosine triphosphate metabolism |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Virology/Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Ribavirin is converted intracellularly to its active triphosphate form, which depletes cellular GTP pools and directly inhibits viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This dual mechanism reduces both the availability of nucleotides for viral replication and the catalytic efficiency of viral polymerases, thereby suppressing viral protein synthesis and replication across multiple RNA viruses.
Approved indications
- Chronic hepatitis C (in combination with interferon-alpha or direct-acting antivirals)
- Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
- Lassa fever
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Common side effects
- Hemolytic anemia
- Teratogenicity/embryocidal effects
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dyspnea
- Insomnia
Key clinical trials
- Treatment of HIV/HCV Coinfection With Peg-IFN and Ribavirin in Patients Receiving ART Monotherapy With Lopinavir/r (PHASE4)
- A Study to Evaluate Long-term Outcomes Following Treatment With ABT-450/Ritonavir/ABT-267 (ABT-450/r/ABT-267) and ABT-333 With or Without Ribavirin (RBV) in Adults With Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection (PHASE3)
- Ribavirin for Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic (R/M) Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Related Malignancies (NA)
- Bioequivalence Study of Ribavirin in Healthy Adult Subjects Under Fed Condition (PHASE1)
- A Study to Evaluate Long-term Outcomes Following Treatment With ABT-450/Ritonavir/ABT-267 (ABT-450/r/ABT-267) and ABT-333 With or Without Ribavirin (RBV) in Adults With Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection (PHASE3)
- Re-treatment of HCV Following DAA Failure (NA)
- Evaluating the Safety and Effectiveness of Interferon-Free Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in HIV-Coinfected Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy (PHASE2)
- A Study to Evaluate Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Treatment Experienced Adults (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:
- Ribavirin (R) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Ribavirin (R) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Ireland portfolio CI