ondansetron

ondansetron is available as a 4 mg and 8 mg orally disintegrating tablet.

ondansetron is an antiemetic and is used for the:
Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to cancer medications (chemotherapy) or radiation therapy
Prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery

ondansetron is an antiemetic medication. It works by blocking the actions of serotonin in the part of your brain that causes nausea and vomiting. This helps you feel less nauseous and less of an urge to vomit.

ondansetron is dosed as follows:
Adults
Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy: Your oncologist will determine your dose based on how likely it is for your chemotherapy medications to cause nausea and vomiting.
High-risk chemotherapy: The typical dose is 24 mg as a single dose, taken by mouth 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy.
Medium-risk chemotherapy: The typical dose is 8 mg as a single dose, taken by mouth 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Take another 8 mg dose by mouth 8 hours after the first dose. After that, take an 8 mg dose by mouth every 12 hours for 1 to 2 days after completing chemotherapy.
Prevention of nausea and vomiting from radiation therapy: The typical dose is 8 mg as a single dose, taken by mouth 1 to 2 hours before radiation therapy. Depending on the type and location of radiation therapy, you might need to take additional 8 mg doses by mouth every 8 hours for 1 to 2 days after completing radiation.
Prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery: The typical dose is 16 mg as a single dose, taken by mouth 1 hour before receiving anesthesia.

Children (age 12 to under 18)
Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy: The typical dose is 8 mg as a single dose, taken by mouth 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Take another 8 mg dose by mouth 8 hours after the first dose. After that, take 8 mg by mouth every 12 hours for 1 to 2 days after completing chemotherapy.

Children (age 4 to under 12)
Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy: The typical dose is 4 mg as a single dose, taken by mouth 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Take another 4 mg dose by mouth 4 hours and 8 hours after the first dose. After that, take 4 mg by mouth every 8 hours for 1 to 2 days after completing chemotherapy.

ZOFRAN is also available as an injection through the veins (IV) or into the muscle (IM) administered by a healthcare professional (HCP) for certain situations.

ondansetron is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you are also taking apomorphine (Apokyn) due to risk of severely low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.

Common side effects of ondansetron:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Serious side effects are rare with ondansetron. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

• Serious allergic reactions: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, irregular heart beat, chest pain, short of breath, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Heart attack
• Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, flushing, tremor (shakiness), muscle stiffness or twitching, uncoordinated movement, distress, hallucinations

The following medications may interact with ondansetron:

• Serotonergic Drugs: Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Drugs Affecting Cytochrome P-450 Enzymes: In patients treated with potent inducers of CYP3A4 (i.e., phenytoin, carbamazepine, and rifampin), the clearance of ondansetron was significantly increased and ondansetron blood concentrations were decreased However, on the basis of available data, no dosage adjustment for ondansetron is recommended for patients on these drugs

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

It is not known if ondansetron will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor will have to decide if you should take ondansetron while you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant.

• ZOFRAN ODT
• ZOFRAN