Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Viekira Pak vs. Ribavirin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Viekira Pak (dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir) and Rebetol (ribavirin) are both antiviral medications used to treat hepatitis C. However, they differ in several ways. Viekira Pak is a combination of three antiviral medications and a booster, specifically used to treat hepatitis C genotype 1, while Rebetol is used for chronic hepatitis C and must be combined with other antivirals. Viekira Pak is taken as four tablets daily, whereas Rebetol's dosage is based on body weight and is usually taken twice daily. Viekira Pak is not available in generic form, while Rebetol is, making it potentially more affordable. Common side effects of Viekira Pak include fatigue, nausea, and itching, while Rebetol commonly causes headache, fever, and muscle aches. Viekira Pak has many drug interactions and can't be taken with birth control containing ethynyl estradiol. Rebetol also has many drug interactions, and when taken with azathioprine can cause a decreased blood cell count.

  • Viekira pak
    Ribavirin (Rebetol)
  • Viekira pak
    Ribavirin (Rebetol)

  • Summary of Viekira Pak vs. Ribavirin

    Summary for Antiviral Combo
    Prescription only

    Viekira Pak is a combination medication containing 3 antiviral medications, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and dasabuvir and a booster medication, ritonavir. It's a treatment option for hepatitis C type 1.

    Summary for Antiviral
    Prescription only

    Ribavirin (Rebetol) is an antiviral medication used with other antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. It has a lot of side effects, so it's usually reserved for people with harder-to-treat chronic hepatitis C infection.

  • Indications of Viekira Pak vs. Ribavirin

    Indications for
    •Hepatitis C infection genotype 1
    Indications for
    •Chronic hepatitis C infection
    •Chronic hepatitis C with HIV coinfection (tablets only)

  • Pros and Cons of Viekira Pak vs. Ribavirin

    Pros and Const for Antiviral Combo
    Pros
    •Works well to cure hepatitis C
    •Comes in easy to follow dose packaging
    •Not too many side effects; most common include nausea, tiredness, itching, and rash
    •Treatment length can be as short as 12 weeks
    •Can be used in people who have received a liver transplant
    Cons
    •Only works for genotype 1
    •Some people with severe liver problems may need to take another antiviral medication called ribavirin
    •Requires 4 tablets a day, where other regimens can be as few as 1 tablet
    •Contains a booster medication called ritonavir (Norvir), which interacts with a lot of medications
    •Can't be taken with birth control that contains ethynyl estradiol
    Pros and Const for Antiviral
    Pros
    •Higher chance of cure when added to other antiviral medications for hard-to-treat chronic hepatitis C
    •Available as generic which can be more affordable
    •Can be used in both children and adults
    •Treatment is usually shorter than 1 year.
    Cons
    •Must be taken two times every day with food
    •Can cause low red blood cells and is not a good choice for people with a history of heart problems
    •Can harm an unborn baby and can't be used in pregnant women or male partners of women who can become pregnant
    •Not effective if used by itself; must be combined with other antivirals

  • Common Side Effects of Viekira Pak vs. Ribavirin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Fatigue (34%)
    •Nausea (22%)
    •Itching (18%)
    •Rash (16%)
    •Insomnia (4%)
    •Weakness (14%)
    Common Side Effects for

    In clinical trials ribavirin (Rebetol) was always given with another medication called interferon. It's possible that many of these side effects were caused by interferon.

    •Headache
    •Fever
    •Muscle aches
    •Tiredness or weakness
    •Shaking chills
    •Nausea
    •Changes in mood, feeling more irritable
    •Vomiting
    •Not feeling as hungry

  • Warnings of Viekira Pak vs. Ribavirin

    Common Side Effects for
    •HEPATITIS B REACTIVATION
    •SERIOUS LIVER PROBLEMS
    •HIGH LIVER BLOOD TESTS
    •RIBAVIRIN RISKS
    •DRUG INTERACTIONS
    Common Side Effects for
    •HARM TO UNBORN BABY
    •LOW RED BLOOD CELLS
    •RIBAVIRIN ALONE
    •PANCREATITIS
    •DENTAL PROBLEMS
    •BREATHING PROBLEMS
    •INTERACTIONS WITH AZATHIOPRINE
    •CHANGES IN LABS
    •WEIGHT AND HEIGHT IN CHILDREN
    •VISION PROBLEMS

  • Prices with our coupons for Viekira Pak vs. Ribavirin

    Learn more about Viekira pak
    Learn more about Ribavirin

Compare other Hepatitis C drugs

Viekira Xr vs CopegusViekira Xr vs OlysioZepatier vs Viekira XrEpclusa vs CopegusEpclusa vs OlysioEpclusa vs TechnivieEpclusa vs ZepatierHarvoni vs CopegusHarvoni vs EpclusaHarvoni vs MavyretHarvoni vs OlysioHarvoni vs ZepatierOlysio vs CopegusViekira Pak vs OlysioZepatier vs CopegusZepatier vs Olysio
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.