MedlinePlus Drug Information: Ondansetron Injection

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Other drug names:	A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

Ondansetron Injection

(on dan' se tron)

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What side effects can this medication cause?	What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know? Brand names

Why is this medication prescribed? Return to top

Ondansetron injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and surgery. Ondansetron is in a class of medications called 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting.

How should this medicine be used? Return to top

Ondansetron comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) or into a muscle by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. When ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, it is usually given 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Additional doses may be given 4 hours after the first dose and 8 hours after the first dose. When ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, it is usually given just before the surgery. Ondansetron is also sometimes given after surgery to patients who are experiencing nausea and vomiting and did not receive ondansetron before surgery.

Other uses for this medicine Return to top

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow? Return to top

Before taking ondansetron,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ondansetron, alosetron (Lotronex), dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), palonosetron (Aloxi), or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention tramadol (Ultram, in Ultracet). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ondansetron, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow? Return to top

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your usual diet.

What side effects can this medication cause? Return to top

Ondansetron may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

headache
constipation
drowsiness
feeling cold
numbness, burning, or tingling in the fingers or toes
fever
pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or burning in the place where ondansetron was injected

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

rash
hives
itching
swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
hoarseness
difficulty breathing or swallowing
shortness of breath
noisy, high pitched breathing
blurred vision or vision loss

Ondansetron may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? Return to top

This medication will be stored in the hospital or clinic.

In case of emergency/overdose Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

sudden loss of vision for a short time
dizziness or lightheadedness
fainting
constipation
irregular heartbeat

What other information should I know? Return to top

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names Return to top

Zofran ®Injection

Last Revised - 01/01/2007

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

AHFS^® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2008. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.