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Clinical Review of Ribavirin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Mark Eggleston
Mark Eggleston*
Affiliation:
College of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC
*
PO Box 115, Woodbridge, VA 22191
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Abstract

The recent approval of ribavirin aerosol for the treatment of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and young children is a significant addition to the antiviral drugs available today. When administered as an aerosolized form by face mask or mist tent for 20 to 21 hours per day, ribavirin effectively decreases the symptoms of RSV infection and the shedding of RSV virus.

Studies of other viral infections such as viral hepatitis, influenza A and B, Lassa fever, genital herpes, and herpes zoster have demonstrated promising, but inconclusive results. Further studies are needed to justify ribavirin therapy for these indications.

Type
Special Sections
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 8 , Issue 5 , May 1987 , pp. 215 - 218
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1987

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