Also known as tribavirin, this drug inhibits a wide variety of DNA and RNA viruses. It is sometimes administered by inhalation to treat severe BRONCHIOLITIS caused by RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) in infants who also have congenital heart disease. It is not used in uncomplicated bronchiolitis as benefits have not been shown in that circumstance, the babies being likely to recover without treatment.

Ribavarin, along with INTERFERON alpha-2b, is given orally to treat patients with chronic HEPATITIS C infection. It is also used to treat LASSA FEVER.