Abstract: Objective To evaluate the rationality of ribavirin in pediatric use and to provide the basic data for rational use of ribavirin. Methods Sample prescriptions from 107 health institutions in 7 cities in China were included after searching "The Hospital Prescriptions Cooperation Project" by Hospital Pharmacy Professional Committee of Chinese Pharmaceutical Association from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 to assess the rationality of related prescriptions based on domestic and foreign prescriptions of ribavirin and related guidelines. Results Ribavirin accounted for a large proportion of antiviral drugs(49.4%). Ribavirin was mainly used in pediatrics in China for respiratory tract infections, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, bronchitis, pneumonia and herpangina. The children who used ribavirin were mostly aged 1 to 2 and 3 to 5. The most commonly used dosage form of ribavirin was injection(40.43%). Conclusion There is some off-label or beyond-the-age-limit use of ribavirin in China, so a prescription rating system for ribavirin should be established to regulate the applications in pediatrics in China.

Key words: ribavirin, pediatrics, medication status, indications, dosage form