Dosage and direction
Make sure you drink plenty of water while taking Rebetol, especially with your first intakes of the medication. Treatment continues for 24-48 weeks. To treat hepatitis C take Rebetol orally with food and full glass of water. Do not chew the tablet, swallow it whole. Recommended dose of Rebetol is 1-1.2 g a day divided in two for morning and evening intakes.Rebetol will not treat hepatitis C (a virus that infects the liver and may
cause severe liver damage or liver cancer) unless it is taken with
another medication. Your doctor will prescribe another medication to
take with Rebetol (ribavirin) if you have hepatitis C. Take both medications
exactly as directed.
Rebetol may cause anemia (condition in
which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells) that can
worsen any heart problems you have and can cause you to have a heart
attack that can be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, breathing problems, any condition that affects your blood such as sickle cell anemia (inherited condition in which the red blood cells are abnormally shaped and cannot bring oxygen to all parts of the body) or thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia; a condition in which the red blood cells do not contain enough of the substance needed to carry oxygen), bleeding in the stomach or intestines, or heart disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: excessive tiredness, pale skin, headache, dizziness, confusion, fast heartbeat, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain