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 or by
medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy or radiation).
Ondansetron may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ondansetron?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ondansetron, to similar medicines
such as dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or palonosetron (Aloxi).
Before taking ondansetron, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
liver disease;
a history of allergic reaction to any medicine; or
a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take ondansetron.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Ondansetron can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ondansetron orally disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if
you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
How should I take ondansetron?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Ondansetron can be taken with or without food.
Take the ondansetron
regular tablet
with a full glass of water.
To take ondansetron
orally disintegrating tablet
(Zofran ODT):
Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the
medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet
through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your
mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in
your mouth without chewing.
Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired,
you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
Measure the
liquid form
of ondansetron with a
special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Store ondansetron at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of ondansetron?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ondansetron?
Your pharmacist has information about ondansetron written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ondansetron?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
blurred vision or temporary blindness;
fever;
slow heart rate, trouble breathing;
anxiety, agitation, shivering;
feeling light-headed, fainting; or
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
diarrhea or constipation;
weakness or tired feeling;
headache;
dizziness or drowsiness;
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ondansetron?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ondansetron 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).
The serious side effects of this medication include blurred vision or temporary
blindness, slow heart rate, trouble breathing, anxiety, agitation, shivering, feeling light-headed, or
fainting, and urinating less than usual or not at all. Stop taking ondansetron and call your doctor
at once if you have any of these side effects.
Ondansetron can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What should I avoid while taking ondansetron?
Ondansetron can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect ondansetron?
Before receiving ondansetron, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal);
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
tramadol (Ultram); or
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with ondansetron. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ondansetron?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009