Zofran

Generic name: Ondansetron

Ondansetron tablets

What are ondansetron tablets?

ONDANSETRON (Zofran®, Zofran ODT®) helps to relieve nausea and vomiting, especially when associated with the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy). Ondansetron may also be used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting that occurs after surgery, and occasionally is used to treat severe vomiting during pregnancy. Generic ondansetron tablets and disintegrating tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ondansetron, granisetron, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Ondansetron tablets are taken by mouth, refer to the directions below that match the type of tablets you were prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Zofran® tablets: Take regular ondansetron tablets by mouth. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water.

Zofran ODT® tablets: These tablets are made to dissolve in the mouth without having to take them with water. Place the tablet in the mouth and allow it to dissolve, then swallow. While you may take these tablets with water, it is not necessary to do so.

If you are taking ondansetron to prevent nausea due to chemotherapy, the first dose of ondansetron is usually given 30 minutes before chemotherapy, followed by a dose at regular intervals for one or two days after chemotherapy.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with ondansetron?

• bosentan
• carbamazepine
• cisplatin
• cyclophosphamide
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rifapentine
• St. John's wort
• tramadol

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking ondansetron?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• fever and chills
• tightness in the chest
• skin rash, itching
• swelling of the face, tongue, throat, hands and feet

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea
• dry mouth
• fainting or lightheadedness
• headache
• stomach pain
• tiredness

What should I watch for while taking ondansetron?

Check with your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you have any sign of an allergic reaction.

Do not take alcohol while taking ondansetron.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store between 2 and 30 degrees C (36 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.