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Ribavirin is a guanosine (ribonucleic) analog used to stop viral RNA synthesis and viral mRNA capping, thus, it is a nucleoside inhibitor. Its brand names include Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere, Vilona, and Virazole. It is an anti-viral drug used for severe RSV infection (); hepatitis C infection, including if persistent,〔 and often in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b or peginterferon alfa-2a; as well as some other viral infections. Ribavirin is a prodrug, which when metabolized resembles purine RNA nucleotides. In this form it interferes with RNA metabolism required for viral replication. How it exactly affects viral replication is unknown; many mechanisms have been proposed for this but none of these has been proven to date. Multiple mechanisms may be responsible for its actions. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system. ==Medical uses== Ribavirin is used primarily to treat hepatitis C and viral hemorrhagic fevers (which is an orphan indication in most countries). In this former indication the oral (capsule or tablet) form of ribavirin is used in combination with pegylated interferon alfa. Including in people coinfected with hepatitis B, HIV and in the pediatric population.〔 Statins may improve this combination's efficacy in treating hepatitis C. Ribavirin is the only known treatment for a variety of viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever, and Hantavirus infection, although data regarding these infections are scarce and the drug might be effective only in early stages. It is noted by the USAMRIID that "Ribavirin has poor in vitro and in vivo activity against the filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg) and the flaviviruses (dengue, yellow fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, and Kyasanur forest disease)" The aerosol form has been used in the past to treat respiratory syncytial virus-related diseases in children, although the evidence to support this is rather weak. It has been used (in combination with ketamine, midazolam, and amantadine) in treatment of rabies. Experimental data indicate that ribavirin may have useful activity against Canine distemper. Ribavirin has also been used as a treatment for herpes simplex virus. One small study found that ribavirin treatment reduced the severity of herpes outbreaks and promoted recovery, as compared with placebo treatment. Another study found that ribavirin potentiated the antiviral effect of acyclovir. There has also been some interest in its possible use as a treatment for cancers, especially acute myeloid leukemia. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「ribavirin」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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