Evaluation of ribavirin in the treatment of acute hepatitis.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, treatment of 60 acute hepatitis patients with ribavirin resulted in a more rapid reduction of abnormal laboratory values when compared with the placebo group. Moreover, improved clinical status as reflected by increased appetite with resultant weight gain was noted to be significantly greater in the ribavirin-treated patients. Ribavirin was well tolerated. With this dosage regimen, there were no side effects or changes in laboratory values that could be associated with drug-related toxicity. Since hepatitis A is one of the most common viral infections afflicting the Indian population, the use of a safe and effective therapeutic agent, such as ribavirin, will be necessary to treat these cases.