Use of ribavirin in viruses other than hepatitis C. A review of the evidence

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed). 2019 Nov;37(9):602-608. doi: 10.1016/j.eimc.2018.05.008. Epub 2018 Jun 12.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Ribavirin is a molecule with antiviral activity against different viruses. In clinical practice, it has made its niche almost exclusively for the treatment of the hepatitisC virus. However, there are other diseases in which it could be of benefit and it has the advantage of being suitable for oral, intravenous and inhaled administration. We conducted a review of the indications of the main drug agencies (Spanish, European and American) and other possible indications, mainly haemorrhagic fevers and coronavirus.

La ribavirina es una molécula con actividad antiviral sobre diferentes virus. Ha encontrado su hueco en la práctica clínica de forma casi exclusiva para el tratamiento del virus de la hepatitis C, pero existen otras enfermedades que podrían beneficiarse de su empleo. Su disponibilidad para administración por vía oral, por vía intravenosa e inhalada es una característica beneficiosa. En este trabajo se realiza una revisión de las indicaciones en las principales agencias del medicamento (española, europea y americana), así como de otras posibles indicaciones, principalmente sobre fiebres hemorrágicas y coronavirus.

Keywords: 1-f8-D-Ribofuranosil-1,2,4-triazol-3-carboxamida; 1-f8-D-Ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide; Ribavirin; Ribavirina; Virazole.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae Infections / drug therapy
  • Adenoviruses, Human / drug effects
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arenaviruses, New World / drug effects
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Hantavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo / drug effects
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, American / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lassa Fever / drug therapy
  • Lassa virus / drug effects
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / drug effects
  • Orthohantavirus / drug effects
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / drug effects
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Virus Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Viruses / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin