- Adapted from Rusnak, J. M. (2011). Experience with Ribavirin for Treatment and Postexposure Prophylaxis of Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses: Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Lassa Fever, and Hantaviruses. Applied Biosafety, 16(2), 67–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/153567601101600203.
- Oral ribavirin should be started immediately after the high-risk exposure, but not before counseling of the patient by the physician. The drug should be taken with food. The patient should be informed that the efficacy of PEP is unknown and that, although there are no major risks to its use, minor adverse effects often occur. Relative contraindications to ribavirin PEP include severe anemia or hemoglobinopathy, pregnancy and breast-feeding, coronary artery disease, renal insufficiency, decompensated liver disease, and known hypersensitivity. Baseline hemoglobin and hematocrit levels should be measured, and therapy should be reconsidered if significant anemia is present. The complete blood count and bilirubin level should be rechecked 5–7 days after initiation of the drug, and ribavirin should be stopped or the dose should be adjusted if significant anemia is noted.
- Bausch DG, Hadi CM, Khan SH, Lertora JJ. Review of the literature and proposed guidelines for the use of oral ribavirin as postexposure prophylaxis for Lassa fever. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Dec 15;51(12):1435-41.