"I often catch colds, and every time I go to the hospital, I use ribavirin. But I recently heard that ribavirin does not cure colds and is very toxic. What's going on?"
Ribavirin, also known as virazole, is a broad-spectrum powerful antiviral drug. Ribavirin (English: Ribavirin, commonly known as virazole) is an antiviral drug, which is a synthetic nucleoside drug and has an inhibitory effect on many DNA and RNA viruses. The mechanism is still unclear.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only licenses the treatment of hepatitis C , human respiratory fusion virus (RSV), and certain hemorrhagic fever (WHO). Ribavirin was synthesized in 1970 by ICN pharmaceutical company Joseph T. Witkowski. The FDA clearly states that ribavirin is not suitable for treating flu , and strictly defines the indications. The abuse of ribavirin to treat various viral infections is very common in China. Currently, it is widely used in the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Common dosage forms include injections, tablets, oral liquids, aerosols, etc. The name
has caused many people to mistake it as an omnipotent antiviral drug. Many clinicians lack understanding of ribavirin. Clinically, especially at the grassroots level, ribavirin abuse is more serious, such as colds, hand, foot and mouth disease, rotavirus enteritis, , etc. Many doctors choose to use ribavirin. But ribavirin does not have these related effects.
According to the ribavirin instruction manual, ribavirin is mainly used in clinical practice for viral diseases such as viral pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus , bronchitis, skin herpes virus infection.
Although colds are mostly caused by viral infections, antiviral treatment will not shorten the course of the disease. In 2012, the Chinese Medical Association issued the "Expert Consensus on Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Cold ", which clearly stated, "At present, there are no specific antiviral drugs specifically for common colds, and common colds do not require the use of antiviral drugs. Excessive use of antiviral drugs can significantly increase the risk of related adverse reactions."
reporter learned that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the indication of ribavirin to be combined with interferon for the treatment of hepatitis C, and cannot be used alone for the treatment of hepatitis C; sometimes for the treatment of certain viral hemorrhagic fever ; sometimes for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The reason why the United States has controlled the application indicators of ribavirin so narrowly is that, first, the clinical effect of ribavirin in treating adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus or influenza virus infection is still uncertain; second, the adverse reactions of ribavirin are relatively large.
Since ribavirin reacts in red blood cells , the main serious adverse reaction is hemolytic anemia , which may worsen the existing heart disease. Ribavirin usually inhibits glutathione, thereby damaging the cell membrane of red blood cells and lysing the red blood cell of oxygen. The gradual decrease in red blood cells can also lead to anemia. Anemia may reduce symptoms by reducing the dosage. Ribavirin can also cause deformity.
①Anemia, leukocytopenia. ②Rrains, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding. ③Elevated serum bilirubin.
The main toxicity of this product is hemolytic anemia, which shows a decrease in hemoglobin, red blood cells and white blood cells within the first 1-2 weeks of oral treatment, of which about 10% of patients may be accompanied by side effects in the heart and lungs. Reticulocyte proliferation may also occur. Hemoglobin should be frequently tested during treatment before and after treatment. This product is not recommended for patients with thalassemia and sickle cell anemia and . Patients with pancreatitis symptoms or have clear pancreatitis should not use this product. It has been reported that taking this product can cause fatal or non-fatal myocardial damage in patients with anemia, so patients with a history of heart disease or obvious symptoms of heart disease should not use this product. If any symptoms of heart disease worsening occurs when using this product, the medication should be stopped immediately and the corresponding treatment should be given. The ribavirin instruction manual mentions that pregnant women are prohibited from using ribavirin. If a woman is pregnant or is ready to become pregnant, neither the woman nor her partner will take ribavirin during the pregnancy and within six months before and after pregnancy. If you become pregnant during medication, you must terminate the pregnancy.
The most obvious side effect for children and adults is that it is prone to hemolytic anemia. Hemoglobin decreases in the first 1-2 weeks after oral treatment, and about 10% of patients may be accompanied by cardiopulmonary side effects.
General systemic adverse reactions observed in clinical trials of this product include: fatigue, headache, weakness, fatigue, chest pain, , fever, chills, flu and other symptoms. Nervous system Symptoms: Dizziness. The digestive system has decreased appetite, stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting, mild diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, etc. The symptoms of the musculoskeletal system include muscle pain, joint pain, nervous system insomnia, mood, irritability, depression, attention disorder, neuroticism, etc. The symptoms of the respiratory system include difficulty breathing, rhinitis, etc., and hair loss, rash, itching, etc. in the skin attachment system. In addition, abnormal taste and abnormal hearing were also observed.
Ahu Medical Examination reminds that if you encounter any of the following symptoms: overwork, pale skin, headache, dizziness, disordered consciousness, fast heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain, you need to go to the hospital for examination immediately.
