AEGiS-GMHC: IN BRIEF: Whatever Happened to Ribavirin

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

IN BRIEF: Whatever Happened to Ribavirin

Gay Men's Health Crisis Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 7 - October, 1991

For a long while the answer to this question was simply, "Not much." Studies repeatedly showed that ribavirin failed to inhibit HIV, except at levels that proved to be too toxic. Additionally, it was discovered a few years ago that in the test tube ribavirin was antagonistic to AZT. However, in an August 17 letter appearing in Lancet, a Belgian doctor noted that in the test tube ribavirin greatly enhances the anti-HIV activity of ddI without increasing toxicity of the infected cell. The PWA Health Group will contest to the quickness with which good news travels; ribavirin is back in demand, according to a representative of the New York City underground buyers' group. For more information contact PWA Health Group at (212) 532-0280.

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