ribavirin /rī′bəvir″in/ , an aerosol antiviral drug. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infections for the lower respiratory tract in infants and small children. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: It is not recommended for infants requiring assisted ventilation. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Reported side effects include bacterial pneumonia, pneumothorax, apnea, hypotension, and cardiac arrest, conditions that may also have resulted from the patient’s underlying disease; deteriorated respiratory function; rash; conjunctivitis; and reticulocytosis.
