Ribavirin (ICN-1229) SDS/MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)

3.1 Substances
Product name: Ribavirin (ICN-1229)
CAS Number: 36791-04-5
PubChem CID: 37542
Molecular formula: C8H12N4O5
Molecular weight: 244.20 g/mol
IUPAC name: 1-[(2R,3R,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide

3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).

4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to t
Skin contact: SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
Eye contact: EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. If symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop, immediately transport the victim to a hospital.
Ingestion: INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport

4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
See Section 11 (Toxicological Information).

4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
Treat symptomatically. Contact a poison control center or physician for severe exposure.

5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol-resistant foam.
Unsuitable: None known.

5.2 Specific hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

5.3 Advice for firefighters
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective clothing.
Fight fire from upwind. Cool containers with water spray until fire is extinguished.

6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8).
Avoid breathing dust/vapor. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Keep people away from and upwind of spill.

6.2 Environmental precautions
Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, or soil.
Contain spill with inert absorbent material.

6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.
Ribavirin can precipitate on contact lenses of health-care personnel exposed to aerosolized drug, and such precipitation may be associated with conjunctivitis. Therefore, it has been suggested that contact lens wearers use eyeglasses rather than contact lenses or, alternatively, use protective goggles while potentially in contact with aerosolized ribavirin.
Because of uncertainties about potential risk, procedures to minimize environmental exposure to aerosolized ribavirin generally should be developed. Whenever possible, patients receiving ribavirin inhalation therapy should be located in rooms where potential exposure of personnel and other patients is minimized (e.g., private rooms with adequate ventilation or, preferably, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] recommends isolation rooms that are under negative pressure and have adequate air exchange and exhaust to the outside).
In deciding the method of administration of ribavirin inhalation therapy, current data on associated exposure levels should be considered, and, whenever possible, methods associated with the lowest levels of exposure employed. Except when immediate care is necessary, the small-particle aerosol generator should be turned off (using a remote switch) temporarily, but for at least 5-10 minutes before entering the room, when attending to the patient and when handling the respiratory apparatus. In addition, the air pressure of the ribavirin treatment room should be evaluated (e.g., using tissue paper at the ajar doorway) and ideally be negative relative to the hallway prior to initiation of a treatment session. An aerosol delivery hood intended for use in administering oxygen and aerosolized ribavirin and that includes a vacuum exhaust filtration system has recently become available from the manufacturer of ribavirin (Valeant) and reportedly can substantially reduce the risk of aerosol emission into the environment during ribavirin inhalation therapy.

7.1 Precautions for safe handling
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should protect this material from exposure to light, and store it in a refrigerator. (NTP, 1992)
Commercially available ribavirin powder for inhalation solution should be stored in tight containers in a dry place at 15-25 °C. ... Ribavirin inhalation solutions contain no preservatives and are stable for 24 hours when stored under sterile conditions at a room temperature of 20-30 °C. ... Ribavirin capsules or tablets should be stored at 25 °C, but may be exposed temperatures ranging from 15-30 °C. Ribavirin oral solution should be stored at 2-8 °C or at 25 °C, but may be exposed to temperatures ranging from 15-30 °C.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Commercially available ribavirin powder for inhalation solution should be stored in tight containers in a dry place at 15-25 °C. ... Ribavirin inhalation solutions contain no preservatives and are stable for 24 hours when stored under sterile conditions at a room temperature of 20-30 °C. ... Ribavirin capsules or tablets should be stored at 25 °C, but may be exposed temperatures ranging from 15-30 °C. Ribavirin oral solution should be stored at 2-8 °C or at 25 °C, but may be exposed to temperatures ranging from 15-30 °C.
Store away from incompatible materials (see Section 10).
[Note: Specific storage temperature not available in public databases. Refer to supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA) for exact storage conditions.]

9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: Ribavirin is a white powder. Exists in two polymorphic forms. (NTP, 1992)
b) Odor: Odorless
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: 345 to 349 °F (NTP, 1992)
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: No data available
g) Flash point: No data available
h) Evaporation rate: No data available
i) Flammability (solid, gas): No data available
j) Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
k) Vapor pressure: No data available
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: No data available
n) Water solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992)
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P (n-octanol/water): -1.8
p) Auto-ignition temperature: No data available
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: No data available
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available

9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 144 Ų
Complexity: 304

11.1 Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity:
No acute toxicity data available.
Skin corrosion/irritation:
No data available.
Serious eye damage/eye irritation:
Causes serious eye irritation (H319).
Respiratory or skin sensitization:
May cause an allergic skin reaction (H317).
Germ cell mutagenicity:
Suspected of causing genetic defects (H341).
Carcinogenicity:
No data available.
Reproductive toxicity:
May damage fertility or the unborn child (H360).
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure):
H373
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure):
No data available.
Aspiration hazard:
No data available.

11.2 Additional information
No additional toxicological information available.

12.1 Toxicity
While data specific to ribavirin were not located(SRC, 2006), the literature suggests that some pharmaceutically active compounds originating from human and veterinary therapy are not eliminated completely in municipal sewage treatment plants and are therefore discharged into receiving waters(1). Wastewater treatment processes often were not designed to remove them from the effluent(2). Selected organic waste compounds may be degrading to new and more persistent compounds that may be released instead of or in addition to the parent compound(2). Studies have indicated that several polar pharmaceutically active compounds can leach through subsoils into aquifers(1).
... Health care personnel in contact with patients undergoing ribavirin inhalation therapy.

12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
Log P (n-octanol/water): -1.8
Low potential for bioaccumulation (Log P < 3).

12.4 Mobility in soil
No data available.

12.5 Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
PBT/vPvB assessment not available.

12.6 Other adverse effects
This substance is classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment.

13.1 Waste treatment methods
Waste Treatment Methods: Waste material must be disposed of in accordance with national and local regulations. Leave chemicals in original containers and do not mix with other waste. Handle uncleaned containers in the same manner as the product itself.

14.1 UN number
Not regulated as dangerous goods (research quantities typically exempt).

14.2 UN proper shipping name
Not subject to transport regulations (small quantities for research use).

14.3 Transport hazard class(es)
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (research quantities).

14.4 Packing group
Not applicable (not regulated as dangerous goods in typical research quantities).

14.5 Environmental hazards
Marine pollutant: No (not classified as environmentally hazardous per GHS).

14.6 Special precautions for user
Transport in original packaging. Ensure containers are tightly sealed.
For bulk or commercial quantities, consult applicable transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG).

14.7 Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code
Not applicable.

15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
US EPA / TSCA: Subject to EPA TSCA regulations
EU ECHA / REACH: Not available in public databases.

SARA 302 Components:
No chemicals in this material are subject to the reporting requirements of SARA Title III, Section 302.
SARA 313 Components:
This material does not contain any chemical components with known CAS numbers that exceed the threshold (De Minimis) reporting levels established by SARA Title III, Section 313.
SARA 311/312 Hazards:
Acute (short-term) health hazard
Chronic (long-term) health hazard
Environmental hazard

Massachusetts Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Massachusetts Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
Pennsylvania Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
New Jersey Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the New Jersey Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.

California Prop. 65 Components:
This product does not contain any chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or any other reproductive harm.

Other regulatory listings:
- California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP) Reportable Ingredient: Hazard Traits - Developmental Toxicity; Reproductive Toxicity Authoritative List - Prop 65 Report - regardless of intended function of ingredient in the product
- FDA Requirements: Manufacturers, packers, and distributors of drug and drug products for human use are responsible for complying with the labeling, certification, and usage requirements as prescribed by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended (secs 201-902, 52 Stat. 1040 et seq., as amended; 21 U.S.C. 32

15.2 Chemical safety assessment
A chemical safety assessment has not been carried out for this substance.
For research-use-only compounds, no CSA is required under REACH Annex I.

Revision Date: 2026/09/08
Further Information: The information provided is believed to be correct but is not exhaustive and should be used only as a guideline based on current knowledge. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product. Selleck Chemicals Corporation and its Affiliates shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or contact with the product.