title: Intravenous ribavirin by constant infusion for serious influenza and parainfluenzavirus infection.
abstract: Three patients with severe lower respiratory tract influenza or parainfluenzavirus infections were treated with continuous ribavirin infusion, given as a 5 mg/kg/hour (h) loading infusion for 8 h followed by 1.5 mg/kg/h for 2 to 6 days. This regimen was generally well tolerated. Plasma ribavirin concentrations were 40 to 60 microM in two patients during the continuous infusion phase and lower concentrations were detectable in tracheobronchial secretions. In temporal association with ribavirin administration, viral shedding diminished in one patient and ceased in two patients, one of whom had developed virus resistant to amantadine. The strategy of continuous ribavirin infusion warrants controlled testing for its antiviral and possible clinical effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sable
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010223:Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin