ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) is a selective serotonin receptor antagonist that is prescribed in the treatment of chemotherapy, radiation and post-surgery induced nausea and vomiting and other medical conditions that induce nausea or vomiting. ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) blocks the vomiting centre in the brain by blocking the serotonin receptors and thereby prevents the vomiting. As an off-label use, ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) is prescribed in abnormal vomiting in pregnancy and in irritable bowel syndrome. These off-label uses of ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) are not approved by Food and Drug Administration.
Who should not take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron)?
ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) is contraindicated in patients with phenylketonuria, abnormal electro-cardiac pathophysiology, bronchospasms, shock, cardiopulmonary problems, and low blood pressure. ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) should be used with extreme caution in geriatric patients above 65 years. You should not take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron), if you are taking drugs such as tramadol, antacids, methotrexate, cisplatin, phenytoin, apomorphine, etoposide, alcohol, rifampicin and carbamazepine. According to Food and Drug Administration, ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) is classified as a pregnancy category – B drug, contraindications and side effects in pregnancy and lactation is still unknown.
ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) Side Effects:
ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) can cause dizziness, malaise, fever, severe headache, fatigue, diarrhoea or constipation, increase in transaminase levels with 4-6 fold increase in serum BUN, gynaecological disorders, urinary problems, skin rashes with or without pruritis, low blood pressure, fainting, behavioural changes, angioedema, ECG changes, temporary blindness and hearing problems, dystonia and severe drug allergy.
How should I take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron)?
The recommended dosage for the ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) is 8 - 24 mg, in divided doses. For the prophylaxis of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, 8 mg of ZOFRAN (Ondansetron), can be administered 30 minutes prior to the chemotherapy treatment and it can be continued twice, every 8 hours. The following instruction should be followed to take the ZOFRAN (Ondansetron): (1) Take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) out of the pack gently by peeling the aluminium protective foil 2) Take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) with clean, dry hands 3) If it is an orally disintegrating tablet, You can place ZOFRAN (Ondansetron in the tip of the tongue and swallow the saliva with the contents of the dissolved drug. There is no need for water to take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron). Do not take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) with any other drink besides plain water. Do not take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) with coffee, tea, juice, milk or other dairy drinks. 4) If it is a conventional tablet, try to swallow ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) on a whole. Do not chew the tablet or keep ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) in your mouth to melt or dissolve. After taking ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) you must wait at least 30 minutes BEFORE: 1) lying down. You may sit, stand, or do normal activities like read the newspaper or take a walk. 2) Eating or drinking anything except plain water.
Keep taking ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) for as long as your health care provider tells you. For ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) to treat your nausea and/or vomiting or keep you away from getting the symptoms, you have to take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) as often and in the way ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) as prescribed.
What should I know about ZOFRAN (Ondansetron)?
- Take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) can be taken with or without food.
- ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) may not be useful in motion sickness and sea sickness. Consult your doctor, if you have any of these problems.
- For ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) dosage one must follow his doctor's instructions.
- Don’t take any other medicines, even the OTC drugs without informing your Physician.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking habits while you take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron)
- It is important to take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) regularly to get the most benefit, as directed by the Physician.
- If you a phenylketonuria patient, you should not take orally disintegrating ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) tablet.
- Do not stop taking ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) without first talking to your doctor, even if you are feeling well. Even after your symptoms improve, you may require continuous treatment for quite some time, as directed by the Physician.
- Avoid handling ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) with wet hands.
- ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) can cause dizziness, vision changes, low BP and fainting. Avoid driving vehicles and handling machineries that needs extreme attention.
- Store ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) as per the instructions on the label
What happens if I miss a dose of ZOFRAN (Ondansetron)?
Take the missed dose of ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) as soon as you remember, during the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) next day as routine dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose of ZOFRAN (Ondansetron)?
If you experience sudden blindness, severe hypotension with heart problems and fainting, it may be a symptom of ZOFRAN (Ondansetron) overdose. In this case, try to seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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