Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea (feeling like vomiting) and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy (use of chemicals to kill cancer cells), radiation therapy (use of radiation to kill cancer cells), and surgery.
ondansetron
This medication is used in the treatment of nausea (feeling like vomiting) and vomiting induced by cytotoxic (damaging to the cells) chemotherapy (use of chemicals to kill cancer cells) and radiotherapy (use of radiation to kill cancer cells). This medication is also used as a prophylactic drug in treatment of post-operative nausea (feeling like vomiting) and vomiting.
Contradications
This medication is contraindicated in a patient that has congenital (present since the time of birth) long QT syndrome (increased risk of irregular heartbeat which can result in fainting; sudden loss of consciousness, drowning; death by suffocation, seizures; sudden and uncontrolled disturbance in the brain causing periods of unconsciousness, and sudden death).
Side effects
Patients administered with this medication may experience constipation (difficulty in passing stool), headache, flushing (temporary reddening of skin), transient rise in liver enzymes, and very rarely a hypersensitivity reaction, anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction that may cause death), chest pain, hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heart rate), seizures (sudden and uncontrolled disturbance in the brain causing periods of unconsciousness), and visual disturbance.
Expert Advice
- Take oral forms with or without meals.
- Use oral syringe to measure oral solution.
- Contact prescriber if there is constant headache, excessive drowsiness (feeling of being sleepy), fever, numbness (loss of sensation), constipation (difficulty in passing stool), diarrhea (frequent watery stools), and chest pain.
FAQs
What is ondansetron used for?
Is ondansetron a narcotic?
This medication is a narcotic (opioid) used to treat nausea and vomiting.
When should you take ondansetron?
If you are taking ondansetron for nausea that occurs with meals, then the standard tablet should be taken half an hour to 1 hour before meals, and the orally disintegrating tablet or oral soluble film can be taken 15 minutes before meals.
How quickly does ondansetron work?
This medication starts working within 1-2 hours.
How often can I take ondansetron for nausea?
Typical dosage for prevention of nausea (feeling like vomiting): 8 mg starting 1–2 hours before radiation, followed by 8-mg doses every 8 hours after that first dose.
What are its precautions?
Correct electrolyte levels before starting therapy, elderly, and patients with heart and tonsil disorders, hepatic (liver) impairment and intestinal obstructions should be cautious.
How to administer this medicine?
This medicine is used orally or intravenously. The injectable form is injected into a vein by a medical professional. However, if you are self-injecting or doing it at home, ensure that you follow the correct procedure and all relevant precautions. The dose is dependent on the age, condition and its severity. The lowest oral dose should be used for the elderly.
