Pronunciation: on-DAN-se-tron
Generic Name: Ondansetron
Brand Name: Zofran
Zofran is used for:
Preventing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy or surgery. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Zofran is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor blocker. It works by blocking a chemical thought to be a cause of nausea and vomiting in certain situations (eg, chemotherapy).
Do NOT use Zofran if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Zofran
- you are taking apomorphine
- you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat (congenital long QT syndrome)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Zofran:
Some medical conditions may interact with Zofran. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have had an allergic reaction to another serotonin 5-HT3 receptor blocker (eg, dolasetron, granisetron)
- if you have liver problems, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, slow or irregular heartbeat, QT prolongation), or electrolyte problems (eg, low potassium or magnesium levels)
- if you take medicines that may affect your heartbeat. Check with your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may affect your heartbeat
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zofran. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Apomorphine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Zofran
- Antineoplastic agents (eg, cyclophosphamide) or tramadol because their effectiveness may be decreased by Zofran
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zofran may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Zofran:
Use Zofran as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Zofran is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Zofran at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Zofran. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not use Zofran if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- It is important that Zofran be given prior to cancer chemotherapy as directed. If you miss a dose of Zofran, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zofran.
Important safety information:
- Zofran may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zofran with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Zofran should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 4 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Certain strengths of Zofran are not recommended in CHILDREN. If you have questions about using Zofran in children, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zofran while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zofran is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zofran, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Zofran:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; irritation, redness, pain, or burning at the site of injection; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; wheezing; unusual hoarseness); chest or jaw pain, numbness of an arm or leg,or sudden severe headache or vomiting; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness; skin tingling or numbness; stomach pain; trouble urinating; uncontrolled muscle movements; vision changes or loss.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Zofran side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness; slowed/irregular heartbeat; sudden, temporary blindness.
Proper storage of Zofran:
Zofran is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Zofran at home, store Zofran as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Zofran out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Zofran, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Zofran is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zofran. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Zofran resources
- Zofran Side Effects (in more detail)
- Zofran Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Zofran Drug Interactions
- Zofran Support Group
- 64 Reviews for Zofran - Add your own review/rating
- Zofran Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Zofran Consumer Overview
- Zofran Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Zofran Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Ondansetron Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Zofran ODT Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Zuplenz Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Zuplenz Consumer Overview
- Zuplenz Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
Compare Zofran with other medications
- Alcohol Dependence
- Gastroenteritis
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced
- Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative
- Nausea/Vomiting, Radiation Induced
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Postanesthetic Shivering
- Pruritus
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