Ondansetron injection
What is ondansetron injection?
ONDANSETRON (Zofran®) helps to relieve nausea and vomiting, especially when associated with the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy). Ondansetron may also be used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting that occurs after surgery, and occasionally is used to treat severe vomiting during pregnancy. Generic ondansetron injections are not yet available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
liver disease
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ondansetron, granisetron, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Ondansetron is for injection into a muscle or a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What drug(s) may interact with ondansetron?
-
astemizole
-
bepridil
-
bosentan
-
carbamazepine
-
cisapride
-
cisplatin
-
cyclophosphamide
-
droperidol
-
grepafloxacin
-
levomethadyl
-
phenobarbital
-
phenytoin
-
probucol
-
rifabutin
-
rifampin
-
rifapentine
-
St. John's wort
-
terfenadine
-
tramadol
-
ziprasidone
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ondansetron?
Your condition will be closely monitored by health care professionals while you receive ondansetron injections.
Do not take alcohol while on ondansetron treatments.
What side effects may I notice from receiving ondansetron?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
-
fast or irregular heartbeat
-
fever and chills
-
tightness in the chest
-
skin rash, itching
-
swelling of the face, tongue, throat, hands and feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
This medication will be given to you in a hospital or health clinic setting, you will not be given ondansetron injections to take home.
Ondansetron oral solution
What are ondansetron oral solutions?
ONDANSETRON (Zofran® oral solution) helps to relieve nausea and vomiting, especially when associated with the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy). Ondansetron may also be used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting that occurs after surgery, and occasionally is used to treat severe vomiting during pregnancy. Generic ondansetron oral solution is available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
liver disease
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ondansetron, granisetron, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Ondansetron oral solution is taken by mouth (swallowed). Follow the directions on your prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
If you are taking ondansetron to prevent nausea due to chemotherapy, the first dose of ondansetron is usually given 30 minutes before chemotherapy, followed by a dose at regular intervals for one or two days after chemotherapy.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with ondansetron?
-
bosentan
-
carbamazepine
-
cisplatin
-
cyclophosphamide
-
phenobarbital
-
phenytoin
-
rifabutin
-
rifampin
-
rifapentine
-
St. John's wort
-
tramadol
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ondansetron?
Check with your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you have any sign of an allergic reaction.
Do not take alcohol while taking ondansetron.
What side effects may I notice from taking ondansetron?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
-
fast or irregular heartbeat
-
fever and chills
-
tightness in the chest
-
skin rash, itching
-
swelling of the face, tongue, throat, hands and feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store between 2 and 30 degrees C (36 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Ondansetron tablets
What are ondansetron tablets?
ONDANSETRON (Zofran®, Zofran ODT®) helps to relieve nausea and vomiting, especially when associated with the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy). Ondansetron may also be used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting that occurs after surgery, and occasionally is used to treat severe vomiting during pregnancy. Generic ondansetron tablets and disintegrating tablets are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
liver disease
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ondansetron, granisetron, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Ondansetron tablets are taken by mouth, refer to the directions below that match the type of tablets you were prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Zofran® tablets: Take regular ondansetron tablets by mouth. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water.
Zofran ODT® tablets: These tablets are made to dissolve in the mouth without having to take them with water. Place the tablet in the mouth and allow it to dissolve, then swallow. While you may take these tablets with water, it is not necessary to do so.
If you are taking ondansetron to prevent nausea due to chemotherapy, the first dose of ondansetron is usually given 30 minutes before chemotherapy, followed by a dose at regular intervals for one or two days after chemotherapy.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with ondansetron?
-
bosentan
-
carbamazepine
-
cisplatin
-
cyclophosphamide
-
phenobarbital
-
phenytoin
-
rifabutin
-
rifampin
-
rifapentine
-
St. John's wort
-
tramadol
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ondansetron?
Check with your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you have any sign of an allergic reaction.
Do not take alcohol while taking ondansetron.
What side effects may I notice from taking ondansetron?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
-
fast or irregular heartbeat
-
fever and chills
-
tightness in the chest
-
skin rash, itching
-
swelling of the face, tongue, throat, hands and feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store between 2 and 30 degrees C (36 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.