Ondansetron

Ondansetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment.

Introduction #

Generic name: Ondansetron (oral)

Brand names: Zofran, Zofran ODT, Zuplenz

Drug class: 5HT3 receptor antagonists

Uses #

Treatment of Nausea

Treatment of Vomiting

Benefits #

• Ondenset 8mg Tablet blocks the action of chemicals in the body that can make you feel or be sick.

• It is often used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatment (in adults and children aged 4 years and older).

• It is usually taken both before and after chemotherapy or radiation. This medicine helps you recover more comfortably from these treatments.

• It is also effective at preventing nausea and vomiting after an operation (in adults only). The dose will depend on what you are being treated for but always take this medicine as it is prescribed.

Directions for use #

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Ondenset 8mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How it works? #

Ondenset 8mg Tablet is an antiemetic medication. It works by blocking the action of a chemical messenger (serotonin) in the brain that may cause nausea and vomiting during anti-cancer treatment (chemotherapy) or after surgery.

Side effects #

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• Severe constipation, stomach pain, or bloating

• Headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats

• Fast or pounding heartbeats

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

• Blurred vision or temporary vision loss (lasting from only a few minutes to several hours)

• High levels of serotonin in the body–agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.

Common ondansetron side effects may include:

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Headache

• Drowsiness

• Tired feeling.

Warnings #

• You should not use ondansetron if you are also using apomorphine (Apokyn).

• You should not use ondansetron if you are allergic to it or to similar medicines such as dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or palonosetron (Aloxi).

• Before taking ondansetron, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

• Ondansetron orally disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

• Serious side effects of ondansetron include blurred vision or temporary vision loss (lasting from only a few minutes to several hours), slow heart rate, trouble breathing, anxiety, agitation, shivering, feeling like you might pass out, and urinating less than usual or not at all.

• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects. Ondansetron may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.