Side effects like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains and infections can be confused with an acute porphyric attack and may potentially be porphyrinogenic.

Very common side effects of ribavirin in combination with interferon alpha are diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, anorexia, depression, anxiety, insomnia and infections. These side effects can be confused with an acute porphyric attack and may potentially trigger an acute porphyric attack.

Ribavirin is not a substrate, inhibitor or inducer of CYP450 enzymes. No pharmacokinetic porphyrinogenic effects are suspected.

Synthetic ribofuranozyl nucleoside

Ribavirin in combination with boceprevir and peg-interferon alpha is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1. It is administered orally.

Ribavirin is metabolized either by phosphorylation or by deribosylation and amide hydrolysis to triazole carboxylation and cleared by the kidneys (SPC). Ribavirin is not a substrate, inhibitor or inducer of CYP450 enzymes (SPC) and there are no drug-drug interactions involving CYP450 enzymes (Lexi-Interact, SPC)