Source

Schiff Center For Liver Diseases & Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center & Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL. ethomas1@med.miami.edu.

Abstract

Ribavirin has been used as an antiviral agent for several decades. Although it has activity against numerous viruses, its major use clinically has been in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pediatric patients and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in both children and adults. This review highlights the clinical application and mechanism of action of ribavirin and discusses the future role of ribavirin in treatment of HCV where there are intense research efforts to improve therapy.