Zofran

[rog1958]

Saw doc today, got script for zofran but forgot to ask how to use it.  Can someone tell me when you are supposed to take it? Bottle says 3 times a day as needed but can I just take one now and then and how long does it take to work?
4mg.

Thanks.

[ceanothus]

Every body reacts differently to meds. Zofran never constipated me, but maybe it does for some people. I've taken Zoloft for years but my doc was concerned that it might possibly interact with the Incivek, so I had to switch to Cymbalta for the duration of the Incivek phase of tx. Cymbalta definitely constipated me, and I switched back to Zoloft as soon as I was allowed. These drugs do get to be a real pain, trying to balance all the different effects and side effects! BTW, not all hepatologists think there is a problem taking Zoloft at the same time as Incivek. It isn't listed as interacting but my doc was extra cautious just because it is closely related to another drug that is know to interact. It did do it's AD job well, and a little Miralax (recommended by my hepatologist) in my morning tea or coffee worked fine to resolve the constipation. Good luck with your balancing act!

[rog1958]

Thank you for the answers and stories. It seems that I am getting lax with my tx protocols.  Skimping on the water, not taking riba with food.  Cheppie suggested to me that I always keep something in my stomach like a cracker and also reminded me of water and food with meds.  
I seem to be so focused on timing of the inc and counting down the weeks, days and pills until I am done. I told my friends about this and what they cost and the said holy !!  I need to reevaluate my program and get back on my correct system.  Most of you know how active I am, I pretty much do what I used to but just get a little tired and cranky.  I can't just sit and watch the clock but I know my limitations.  I did the golf thing again today with the boys but skipped the bar routine.  They understand, I am sober and staying sober and having more fun than ever. yes some bad days but with this forum and the drrugs recommended by it help. Doc had no prob with zofran and highly encouraged this support forum.

Cean, I took 4 mg last night before inc and it helped. I did have a constipation problem this morning that did no good for my golf swing and am curious if the zofran has anything to do with this.  Will see doc about AD and mention conflicts with PI. I am not a pill guy on a regular basis but have drawer full of them. Found some zoloft from 2010 and went humf? what the heck was this for.  I think sometimes I am seriously insane, just kidding.  Thanks all again, you are saving my family.

Rog

[ceanothus]

I LOVE that term, "butt head syndrome", and plan to use it regularly now! I found 4mg of Zofran worked really fast and really well for me. My nausea was to the point of vomiting, and I only took the Zofran when I thought I might vomit (which was pretty much every day, once a day in the morning. I hardly ever needed it later in the day. When I took that tiny pill I would go from barely holding down the vomit all the way to feeling a little hungry and eager to eat something in only about 10-15 minutes. It was a real miracle pill for me, and I wouldn't have made it through more than 3 weeks of Incivek without it. Best wishes!

[working dog]

zofan saved me on tx....i didn't use it everyday but most days...i would be gagging and i knew if i could hold it down for just a few minutes i would be ok...it worked fast !!! i will say i should have taken it more as i damaged my esophagus with acid....be careful of that...if i did tx again i might try pot in food...thats suppose to work well for some...i couldn't smoke it because the smell i just couldn't take....good luck...billy

[rog1958]

Yours is definitely extreme. I understand now why they gave me only 4 mg tabs.  Now the prozac, thats a different story for me. My first round of tx they started me on prozac before tx after interview with wife and then doubled it when tx started.  This time I am on nothing but am headed to gp for script before I wake up dead. I have butt head syndrome magnified with the incivik and really need the smile pill.
Seems like everyone else has it quite mild and is using as needed. I know some smoke the pot for symptoms and good for them. If I smoked the pot when I was younger I probably wouldn't have the Hepc. lol

[pooh55811]

I was not sure how nauseated you were/are or if you were vomiting. I would agree, if the nausea is not bad and you are not vomiting, then there is no reason to take it except when needed.

I had a severe case of nausea, major bloating, and some vomiting which snowballed into other problems such as rapid heart rate (180 per min), early heart beats, swollen ankles and feet, severe bouts of dizziness, severe fatigue and weakness like I was about to pass out. I spent most of about 3 weeks lying down (very unlike me) but I simply could not sit. I also ended up with a cardiology consult, an echocardiogram, an EKG, and a heart monitor for a month. Guess what ... after taking the Zofran, all of those symptoms cleared up within days and I have not had any of them since. They were all part of the systemic reaction. I should have been on Zofran 2 months before I got it but my team just ignored side effects.

Anyway, hope the Zofran works well for you.

[Dawn703]

I too only took it when I needed. It is not needed always unless you are always nauseous

[uriah1]

I only took it when I was nauseous.  Be sure to eat lots of fiber!

[rog1958]

If it is something I need to take consistently to build up in system It is not for me.  I have never puked since my last drunk of yagermeister shots with my sister years ago.  I have mild case as in  Advocate husband. They gave me 30 pills to use as needed so only 10 day supply if I use it regular.  I will try when nauseated and see what works well for me.

[Advocate1955]

My husband only took it when he felt nauseous, but his nausea was pretty mild and didn't last long.
Advocate1955

[pooh55811]

I took 8 mg of Zofran every 8 hours.  I did not wait to get nauseated or start vomiting (although when I started taking it I was nauseated, vomiting, and bloated.  Once I got some on board, then I was able to prevent the nausea and vomiting by taking it every 8 hours.

I don't see (in this blurb) how long it takes to work, but I don't think it takes long. I think it works pretty fast. It might take a couple of doses before it reaches full effect because you are already nauseated. I did notice the difference pretty rapidly and within a couple of days I was feeling like a new woman, LOL.

Zofran:

How does it work?

"Zofran tablets, syrup and injection all contain the active ingredient ondansetron hydrochloride dihydrate, which is a type of medicine called a 5HT3 antagonist. (NB. Ondansetron is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Ondansetron is used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting that can be caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer, or by surgery.

Vomiting is controlled by an area of the brain called the vomiting centre. The vomiting centre is responsible for causing feelings of sickness (nausea) and for the vomiting reflex. It is activated when it receives nerve messages from another area of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and when it receives nerve messages from the gut.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can cause a substance called serotonin (5HT) to be released in the gut. This 5HT acts on the 5HT3 receptors that are found in the gut and causes nerve messages to be sent to the vomiting centre.

5HT released by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery also activates the 5HT3 receptors that are found in the CTZ in the brain, causing further messages to be sent to the vomiting centre.

Ondansetron works by blocking the 5HT3 receptors that are found in the brain and gut. This prevents the nausea messages being sent from these areas to the vomiting centre. Ondansetron therefore prevents nausea, retching and vomiting that can otherwise occur following surgery or due to cancer treatments.

What is it used for?

    Preventing and treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer
    Preventing and treating nausea and vomiting following surgery.

Use with caution in

    Allergy to other 5HT3 antagonists, eg granisetron
    Decreased liver function
    Blockage of the gut (intestinal obstruction)
    Disurbances of the levels of salts (electrolytes) such as potassium,   sodium and magnesium in the blood
    History of heart problems
    Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
    People taking medicines to treat an irregular heart beat (antiarrhythmics) or beta-blocker medicines.

Not to be used in

    Known hypersensitivity or allergy to any ingredient.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately."