About the Drug and its uses

The trade name Zofran of this drug has a generic name as Ondansetron. The nausea and vomiting that are caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy of cancer treatment is treated using the drug called Zofran. The vomiting and nausea symptoms that result after the surgery are also handled by using the drug Zofran. It is also known to stop the function of the natural substance in the body called serotonin that can lead to vomiting.

This medication is administered orally about half an hour prior to the cancer treatment in the case of chemotherapy. In the case of radiation therapy, this drug is administered one or two hours prior to the treatment. This kind of administration can prevent nausea in the person who is going to undergo the cancer treatment. The Zofran can be taken orally one hour prior to the surgery to avoid nausea sensation that might occur to the person after surgery completion.

This drug can be taken along with food and not without food. Zofran can be taken for three times in a day for about one to two days after the chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given. This drug can be taken regularly to get maximum benefit from it.

Common side effects of Zofran are

• Headache seen in about 27% of people
• Diarrhea and gynecological disorders observed in about seven percent of people
• Constipation and low oxygen levels seen in about nine percent of people
• Fever seen in about eight percent of people
• Tiredness observed in about 13% of people
• Weakness
• Anxiety seen in about six percent of people
• Urinary retention, itching and dizziness seen in about five percent of people

Serious side effects of Zofran are

• Blurred vision
• Hives
• Rashes
• Itching
• Swelling of eyes, lips, face, throat, tongue, ankles, feet or lower legs
• Difficulty in breathing
• Hoarseness
• Shortness of breath
• Noisy breathing
• Slow heart rate
• Urinating less
• Severe dizziness
• Tremors

Less serious side effects of Zofran are

• Weakness
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Headache
• Fever
• Dizziness or Drowsiness

Rare side effects of Zofran are

• Abnormal stiffness in muscles
• Enhanced liver enzymes
• Enhanced heart rate
• Alterations in heart rhythm
• Flushing
• Chest pain
• Hiccups
• Muscle spasm in the eye
• Temporary blindness

Precautions to be taken to avoid side effects

The doctor has to be informed about any allergic reaction the person might have for the drug. If the person has any medical history before, it has to be informed to the doctor prior to the drug prescribed. The person has to inform the doctor if he had any diseases like liver disease and stomach and intestinal problems. The drug Zofran makes the person dizzy and hence he/she must not drive or operate any important machinery after taking this drug. The alcohol consumption has to be stopped. The drug can be taken during pregnancy only when it is suggested by the doctor. The breast feeding mothers have to take the doctor’s suggestion before the drug is taken. Zofran should not be used along with Apo morphine. As Zofran consists of phenylalanine, it should not be taken if the person has phenylketonuria. The doctor has to be informed if the family members had long QT syndrome, problem in heart rhythm or irregular heartbeat, or if the person had low magnesium or potassium levels, or congestive heart failure.

Zofran is also found to be interacting with other drugs like anti-malaria medications, antidepressant medications, antibiotics, arsenic trioxide, tramadol, heart rhythm medication, psychiatric disorder drugs, and medicine for headache, narcotic medication and seizure medication.