title: The application and mechanism of action of ribavirin in therapy of hepatitis C.
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 in paediatric patients and chronic 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.
authors.affiliation: Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA. ethomas1@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Marc G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ghany
authors.forename: T Jake
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin