Type of medicine: 5-HT3 receptor antagonist; antiemetic (antinausea)
Generic and brand names: ondansetron, injection; Zofran
This medicine is given to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
It is also given to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your healthcare provider if you take diuretics (water pills), or medicine to control heart rhythms.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is given by your healthcare provider as an injection (shot) into a muscle or by IV infusion (through a needle into a large vein over a few minutes or a slow drip over at least 15 minutes).
If you are receiving this medicine to prevent nausea or vomiting due to chemotherapy, a healthcare provider will give the medicine about 30 minutes before chemotherapy. Sometimes another dose is given about 4 and 8 hours after your first dose of this medicine. Your healthcare provider will give the medicine based on your chemotherapy schedule.
If you are receiving this medicine to prevent nausea or vomiting after surgery, a healthcare provider will give the medicine at the beginning of your surgery or when needed after surgery.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Pounding or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; yellowish skin or eyes; trouble urinating.
Other: Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, shivering, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, pain or redness at the spot where the shots or infusions were given, anxiety, fever.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
