Rebetol
Rebetol is generic ribavirin 200mg capsules, an antiviral added to other hepatitis C medicines, offered here in a range of pack sizes.
All strengths and pack prices
| Strength | Pack | Price | Per capsule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200mg | 10 capsules | $79.60 | $7.96 |
| 200mg | 20 capsules | $145.80 | $7.29 |
| 200mg | 30 capsules | $210.00 | $7.00 |
| 200mg | 60 capsules | $356.40 | $5.94 |
| 200mg | 90 capsules | $473.40 | $5.26 |
- Category
- Antivirals
- Active ingredient
- Ribavirin
- Route
- Oral
- Form
- Capsule, Oral solution
- Strengths
- 200mg
You will receive a quality generic equivalent, depending on stock.
Shipped in a discreet, unmarked envelope.
Details
- Conditions
- Hepatitis C
- Therapeutic Class
- Antiviral
- Pharmacological Class
- Nucleoside analogue
- Minor Side Effects
- Fatigue, Nausea
- Moderate Side Effects
- Rash, Insomnia
- Dosage Forms
- Capsule, Oral solution
- Administration Route
- Oral
- Originator
- Merck
- Storage Instructions
- Store in a dry place.
- Drug Interactions
- Didanosine, Zidovudine
What you will receive
Rebetol is the originator brand name, made by Merck. We use it to identify the medicine; the pack you receive is a generic equivalent, not the original Rebetol.
- The same active ingredient (Ribavirin) at the same strength.
- The exact brand supplied depends on what is in stock when your order ships.
FAQ
Which Rebetol strengths and pack quantities are available?
You can order generic ribavirin 200mg capsules in packs of 10, 20, 30, 60 or 90. It is generic ribavirin, not the original Rebetol. Larger packs cost less per capsule.
How is Rebetol delivered to Hong Kong?
Generic ribavirin ships in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing outside about the contents. If a parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, it is sent again free, or the order is refunded if that is not possible. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, or by Bitcoin or Ethereum.
What is another name for ribavirin?
Rebetol, Copegus and Virazole are brand names of ribavirin, which is also sold as Vilona. Here, ribavirin can be bought online as generic Rebetol, and also as generic Copegus. These are generics, not the original brand.
Is Rebetol the same as ribavirin?
Yes — Rebetol is the brand name ribavirin is best known by, and the capsules sold here contain 200mg of generic ribavirin. The active ingredient is the same whichever name appears on the packaging.
Can Rebetol clear hepatitis C on its own?
No. Ribavirin is always combined with other hepatitis C medicines, now mostly antiviral tablets and in older regimens interferon injections; on its own it does not clear the virus. That is why a course involves two medicines rather than one.
How long does a course of Rebetol last?
Treatment usually runs for 24 to 48 weeks, and sometimes longer. The capsules are taken twice a day throughout, at roughly the same times each morning and evening, so a course is a long commitment rather than a short one.
Can I drink alcohol with Rebetol?
It is best to avoid alcohol while taking ribavirin. Alcohol puts extra strain on the liver, which is already dealing with hepatitis C, and it can make tiredness and low mood harder to manage.
How does Rebetol differ from Copegus?
Copegus is another brand of ribavirin, made as a tablet, while Rebetol comes as capsules. Because doses are counted in milligrams, how many units make up a dose depends on the strength printed on the pack you hold.
About Rebetol
What Rebetol capsules are used for
Ribavirin is an antiviral that gets inside infected cells and disrupts the way the hepatitis C virus copies itself. Hepatitis C infects the liver and can damage it over years. Ribavirin is never taken by itself. It is added to other hepatitis C medicines: these days usually antiviral tablets such as sofosbuvir combinations, and in older regimens weekly interferon injections. The capsules sold here hold 200mg of generic ribavirin, the medicine most people know by the brand name Rebetol.
How the treatment is taken
The capsules are taken morning and evening with food, and a glass of water helps them down. Swallow each one intact. A course runs anywhere from 12 to 48 weeks, depending on what it is paired with, which is a lot of doses; many people tie them to breakfast and dinner so the pack sits where they will see it. Keeping the two doses about twelve hours apart gives a steadier level than bunching them.
Side effects
Tiredness, headache, nausea, trouble sleeping, irritability and low mood are the effects people notice most, often early on. The one to watch is a fall in red blood cells — anaemia — which ribavirin causes in many people. Unusual tiredness, pale skin, dizziness, a racing heartbeat, breathlessness or chest pain can be part of it, and anaemia makes existing heart trouble worse. Pregnancy rules ribavirin out, because it can damage the developing baby. Alcohol is best left alone while you take it, since it adds to the load on the liver.
Rebetol and the other ribavirin capsules
The shop also sells Copegus, another brand of ribavirin. The active ingredient is the same, but the brand differs and Copegus is a tablet, not a capsule, so the number of units in a dose is not the same. The ribavirin page covers both.
Keeping the capsules
Leave the capsules in their original pack, shielded from damp and sunlight, and read the expiry date before beginning a course that will last for months.
Sources
- Ribavirin: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Label: RIBAVIRIN tablet, film coated — DailyMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine