Ondansan (other name Zofran)

Product Description

Common use
Zofran is used for preventing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy or surgery. Zofran is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor blocker. It works by blocking a chemical thought to be a cause of nausea and vomiting in certain situations (eg, chemotherapy).

Dosage and direction

Use Zofran as directed by your doctor.
Take Zofran with a full glass of water.
This medicine can be taken with or without food.
Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
If you miss a dose of Zofran, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zofran.

Storage

Store Zofran at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zofran out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Safety information

Do NOT use Zofran if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Zofran
you are taking apomorphine.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Some medical conditions may interact with Zofran. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have had an allergic reaction to another serotonin 5-HT3 receptor blocker (eg, dolasetron, granisetron)
if you have liver problems or a certain type of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation, long QT syndrome).
Some medicines may interact with Zofran. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Apomorphine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Zofran
Antineoplastic agents (eg, cyclophosphamide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Zofran.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zofran may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:
Zofran may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zofran with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Zofran should be used with extreme caution in children younger 4 months; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Certain strengths of Zofran are not recommended in children. If you have questions about using Zofran in children, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zofran while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zofran is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zofran, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.
Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; wheezing; unusual hoarseness); chest or jaw pain; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; numbness of an arm or leg, or sudden severe headache or vomiting; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness; skin tingling or numbness; stomach pain; trouble urinating; uncontrolled muscle movements; vision changes or loss.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.