ondansetron (injection) Health Article

Generic name(s):

ondansetron (injection)

Brand name(s):

ondansetron, Zofran

What is the most important information I should know about ondansetron injection?

Before receiving ondansetron injection, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome, or if you have had an allergic reaction to any medicine similar to ondansetron, including dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or palonosetron (Aloxi).

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by ondansetron injection.

Ondansetron injection 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. Call your doctor at once if you have stiffness in your neck, or muscle spasms or twitching (especially in your face).

There may be other drugs that can affect ondansetron injection. 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 is ondansetron injection?

Ondansetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting.

Ondansetron injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery or by medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy).

Ondansetron injection may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using ondansetron injection?

Before using ondansetron injection, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• a history of allergic reaction to any medicine similar to ondansetron, including dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or palonosetron (Aloxi); or

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ondansetron injection, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

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.

How is ondansetron injection used?

Ondansetron injection is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. In most cases, only one dose of ondansetron injection is given just before the start of surgery or chemotherapy. Sometimes a second and third dose are also given at 4 hours and 8 hours after the first dose. The medicine must be given through an IV infusion, and can take up to 15 minutes to complete.

Ondansetron injection is not for preventing nausea or vomiting that are caused by factors other than chemotherapy or surgery.

If you receive this medicine at home and you keep your medicine there, store ondansetron injection at room temperature away from heat and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an ondansetron overdose may include sudden loss of vision, severe constipation, feeling light-headed, fainting.

What should I avoid while receiving ondansetron injection?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by ondansetron injection.

Ondansetron injection 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.