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Ondansetron

 

Ondansetron (generic Zofran) Review

brand names: Zofran, Zofran ODT
generic names: Ondansetron, Ondansetron hydrochloride

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 side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Zofran (Ondansetron).

• More common side effects may include:
  Constipation, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, headache

• When Zofran (Ondansetron) is used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery, shivers, low blood pressure, itching, headache, fever, female reproductive disorders, drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty urinating, difficulty breathing, the following side effects may occur:
  Anxiety, slow heartbeat

Why is Zofran (Ondansetron) prescribed?

Zofran (Ondansetron) is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer, and, in some cases, to prevent these problems following surgery.

How does it work?

Zofran melt tablets contain the active ingredient ondansetron, which is a type of medicine called a 5HT 3 antagonist. (NB. Ondansetron is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Ondansetron is used to prevent 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 5HT 3 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 5HT 3 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 5HT 3 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.

Zofran melt tablets are designed to dissolve rapidly on the tongue and be swallowed with the saliva, without the need for a drink of water. Ondansetron can also be given by standard tablets or syrup, injection into a muscle or vein, suppository, or by drip (infusion) into a vein. See the factsheets linked at the end of this article for more information about these dose forms.

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.

Why is Zofran (Ondansetron) prescribed?

Zofran (Ondansetron) is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer, and, in some cases, to prevent these problems following surgery.