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What is Rebetol
 Rebetol
is an antiviral medication. The exact way that Rebetol works
is unknown.
Rebetol
is used in combination with an interferon alfa product to
treat chronic hepatitis C in patients with compensated liver
disease who have not previously been treated with alfa interferon
or who have relapsed following alfa interferon therapy.
Rebetol
may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
General medical information about Rebetol
Rebetol should not be used alone in the treatment
of hepatitis C. It should be used in combination with an
interferon alfa product. When used by itself, Rebetol is
not effective against the hepatitis C virus.
Rebetol
is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is
known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Rebetol
should not be used by women who are pregnant or by male
partners of pregnant women. Treatment with Rebetol should
not be started until a negative pregnancy test has been
obtained. Extreme care must be taken to avoid pregnancy
during treatment with Rebetol and for 6 months following
the completion of treatment in women taking this medication
and women partners of men being treated with this medication.
Women who could become pregnant during treatment and men
must use two reliable forms of birth control during treatment
and during the 6-month period following treatment. A pregnancy
test should be taken before starting treatment with Rebetol,
every month during treatment, and every month for six months
following treatment to make sure there is no pregnancy.
Notify your doctor immediately if pregnancy occurs.
Rebetol may cause anemia, which is a decrease in the number
of red blood cells in the body. This can be dangerous, especially
for patients who already have heart or circulatory problems.
Your doctor will want to check your red blood cell count
before starting treatment and periodically during treatment.
Notify your doctor if you experience unusual tiredness,
chest pain, or shortness of breath. These may be signs of
low red blood cell counts.
Combination treatment
with Rebetol and interferon alfa may cause mental health
problems such as depression, suicidal behavior, and psychosis
(loss of contact with reality such as hearing voices or
seeing things that are not there). In general, these feelings
and behaviors stop after treatment is stopped. Talk to your
doctor immediately if you experience any new or worsening
mental health problems.
What you should find out before taking Rebetol Do not take Rebetol without first talking to your
doctor if you have
- a history of heart disease,
high blood pressure, or a heart attack;
- a hemoglobin
disorder such as anemia (low red blood cell count), thalassemia
(Mediterranean anemia), or sickle-cell anemia;
-
pancreatitis;
- kidney problems;
- liver problems
(other than hepatitis C infection);
- mental health
problems such as depression or anxiety;
- a history
of organ transplant;
- thyroid disease;
-
current or history of alcoholism or drug abuse or addiction;
- cancer;
- infection with hepatitis B virus
and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV or AIDS);
-
diabetes; or
- past interferon treatment for hepatitis
C virus infection that did not work for you.
You
may not be able to take Rebetol or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Rebetol
is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is
known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Rebetol
should not be used by women who are pregnant or by male
partners of pregnant women. Treatment with Rebetol should
not be started until a negative pregnancy test has been
obtained. Extreme care must be taken to avoid pregnancy
during treatment with Rebetol and for 6 months following
the completion of treatment in women taking this medication
and women partners of men being treated with this medication.
Women who could become pregnant during treatment and men
must use two reliable forms of birth control during treatment
and during the 6-month period following treatment. A pregnancy
test should be taken before starting treatment with Rebetol,
every month during treatment, and every month for six months
following treatment to make sure there is no pregnancy.
Notify your doctor immediately if pregnancy occurs.
It is not known whether Rebetol passes into breast milk.
Because it may harm a nursing baby, breast-feeding is not
recommended during treatment with Rebetol.
Side effects
may be more likely to occur in people over the age of 65
treated with Rebetol. A lower dose or special monitoring
may be required.
How should take Rebetol Take Rebetol exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Rebetol
should not be used alone in the treatment of hepatitis C.
It should be used in combination with an interferon alfa
product. When used by itself, Rebetol is not effective against
the hepatitis C virus.
Take the Rebetol tablets and
capsules with a full glass of water.
To ensure that
you get a correct dose, measure the Rebetol solution with
a dose-measuring spoon, dropper, or cup, not a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your
pharmacist where you can get one.
Take the medication
twice a day in the morning and evening as directed by your
doctor. It is recommended that Rebetol be taken with food.
However, Rebetol can be taken with or without food. It should
be taken the same way every day (e.g., with food or without
food).
Maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent
dehydration during treatment with Rebetol by drinking several
extra glasses of fluid each day. Additional fluid may be
necessary during hot weather, vigorous exercise, and illness.
It is important to follow your dosing schedule and
your health care provider's instructions on how to take
your medicines.
Take the medicine for as long as
it is prescribed and do not take more than the recommended
dose.
It is important to take Rebetol regularly to
get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you to
have regularly scheduled blood tests or other medical evaluations
during treatment with Rebetol to monitor progress and side
effects.
Treatment with Rebetol does not prevent
spread of the hepatitis C virus to other people. Follow
your healthcare provider's instructions regarding minimizing
the risk of spreading the virus.
Store Rebetol tablets
and capsules at room temperature away from moisture, heat,
and light.
The Rebetol oral solution can be stored
at room temperature, away heat and light, or in the refrigerator.
If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose of Rebetol, take the missed dose
as soon as possible during the same day. If an entire day
has gone by, check with your health care provider about
what to do. Do not double the next dose.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of a Rebetol overdose are not
known.
Avoid while taking Rebetol Do not drink alcohol during treatment with Rebetol
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Do not
take other prescription or nonprescription drugs, including
herbal products during treatment with Rebetol without first
talking to your doctor.
Maintain adequate fluid intake
to prevent dehydration during treatment with Rebetol by
drinking several extra glasses of fluid each day. Additional
fluid may be necessary during hot weather, vigorous exercise,
and illness.
Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Rebetol
may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness
or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Treatment
with Rebetol does not prevent spread of the hepatitis C
virus to other people. Follow your healthcare provider's
instructions regarding minimizing the risk of spreading
the virus.
Possible side effects of Rebetol Stop taking Rebetol and seek emergency medical attention
or call your doctor immediately if you experience
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- chest, arm or neck pain;
- trouble breathing
or increased cough;
- severe stomach pain or low
back pain;
- black or bloody bowel movements (may
look like black tar);
- unusual bruising or bleeding;
- changes in vision;
- fever greater than
100.5 degrees Fahrenheit; or
- worsening symptoms
of psoriasis.
Rebetol may cause anemia, which is
a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the body.
This can be dangerous, especially for patients who already
have heart or circulatory problems. Your doctor will want
to check your red blood cell count before starting treatment
and periodically during treatment. Notify your doctor if
you experience unusual tiredness, chest pain, or shortness
of breath. These may be signs of low red blood cell counts.
Combination treatment with Rebetol and interferon
alfa may cause mental health problems such as depression,
suicidal behavior, and psychosis (loss of contact with reality
such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there).
In general, these feelings and behaviors stop after treatment
is stopped. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience
any new or worsening mental health problems.
Other
less serious side effect may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Rebetol and talk to your doctor if you experience
- fatigue or tiredness;
- nausea or decreased
appetite;
- thinning of the hair;
- rash or
itching; or
- insomnia or restlessness.
Side
effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Rebetol
Before
taking Rebetol, tell your doctor if you are taking any other
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins,
minerals, and herbal products, and do not start taking any
other medicines during treatment without first talking to
your doctor. You may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment. |
