Ondansetron
About
Ondansetron belongs to a group of medications called ' anti-emetics' primarily used in the prevention of vomiting (being sick) and nausea (feeling sick) that usually occur after cancer chemotherapy, radiation treatment or surgery. Nausea is an uneasy feeling in which a person feels an urge to vomit while vomiting is the natural response to the body to forcefully discharge the stomach contents.
Ondansetron contains 'Ondanestron' that works by blocking the action of a chemical in the body (serotonin) responsible for causing nausea and vomiting. As a result, Ondansetron prevents the sensation of nausea and vomiting caused due to conditions like surgery, cancer chemotherapy, pregnancy or motion sickness.
Take Ondansetron as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take Ondansetron based on your medical condition. A person taking Ondansetron often experience side effects that include a feeling of warmth, constipation, headache, diarrhoea, headache, drowsiness, feeling of tiredness. Although, not every person faces the side effects of Ondansetron, and even some of the unpleasant effects of Ondansetron do not require medical attention.
The use of Ondansetron is restricted in persons who are allergic to any of the ingredients present in this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are facing liver, kidney, or heart disorders. Ondansetron should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding after consulting a doctor. Ondansetron contains lactose so tell your doctor if you have an intolerance to some sugars.
Uses of Ondansetron
Medicinal Benefits
Ondansetron belongs to a group of medications called anti-emetics used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with conditions like cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, pregnancy and motion sickness in adults and children above 4 years of age. When serotonin level increases in the blood, it stimulates the CTZ receptor (chemoreceptor trigger zone) located in the brain responsible for controlling nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron acts by inhibiting the release of this serotonin, thereby preventing nausea and vomiting.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ondansetron
- Sensations of flushing
- Constipation
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are dealing with an uneven heart, liver problems, or any other problem. Tell your doctor if you are taking medicine for epilepsy, cancer medicines, and abnormal heartbeats. Ondansetron may affect a person's ability to drive. Therefore, should avoid driving or operating any machine. People with an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and phenylketonuria (too much of protein phenylalanine in the blood) should not take Ondansetron as it may cause serious conditions. The liver patient should not take more than 8 mg of Ondansetron daily. Ondansetron should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding after consultation with a doctor. Taking Ondansetron with apomorphine can cause a sharp dip in blood pressure, even leading to death, so avoid its intake together.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Ondansetron may cause a serious reaction when used with certain medicines like pain killers (acetaminophen, tramadol, ibuprofen), anti-anxiety (pregabalin, lorazepam), and antiparkinson medicine (apomorphine).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The use of Ondansetron is restricted in people with hypokalemia (low potassium) and severe liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeOne should avoid consuming alcohol while taking Ondansetron as this medicine can interact with alcohol and may worsen the side effects.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedOndansetron could be used during pregnancy after consulting a doctor.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedOndansetron could be used during breastfeeding after consulting a doctor.
Driving
cautionOndansetron may cause lightheadedness in the body, so a person taking Ondansetron should avoid driving or operating any heavy machinery or tasks that require mental alertness.
Liver
safe if prescribedIn persons dealing with liver problems, the use of Ondansetron is allowed if prescribed by the doctor. However, in patients with severe liver problems should take a low dose of Ondansetron as much as possible. Do not take more than 8 mg of Ondansetron per day in case of liver disease.
Kidney
safe if prescribedThe use of Ondansetron is safe in patients dealing with kidney disorders. No dose adjustment is required.
Children
safe if prescribedOndansetron should not be given to the children below 4 years of age. The use of Ondansetron is safe in children above 4 years of age if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A person should take a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, skinless poultry, nuts, fish, whole grains, plant-based oils, and low-fat dairy products will help to keep a person in good health and avoid chances of nausea and vomiting.
- One should avoid taking greasy or oily foods as this food triggers nausea and vomit.
- Eat cool foods instead of hot and spicy foods.
- Include clear broths, non-fat yoghurt, fruit juice, sherbet, and sports drinks for fluid make up which has got lost due to vomiting.
Special Advise
- Do not use Ondansetron with Apomorphine as it can cause a sudden fall of blood pressure leading to death or coma.
- Ondansetron contains 'phenylalanine' so if you have Phenylketonuria (PKU) avoid its intake.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea is an uneasy feeling in the stomach that may come and go in waves in which a person feels with a strong urge to vomit. It happens before vomiting. While vomiting is a natural response of the body in which a person wants to expel stomach contents from the mouth forcefully. It can be triggered by taste, anxiety, smell, pain, or irritation to the stomach. Usually, a person faces nausea and vomiting as the unpleasant effects of cancer therapy after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is essential to control vomiting and nausea in cancer patients for performing everyday activities of the day. If not controlled, it can lead to mental changes, loss of appetite, malnutrition, and dehydration.
FAQs
Ondansetron is an anti-sickness medicine that takes about 1-2 hours to show its action.
Tell your doctor if you are facing severe constipation as after checking your condition, the doctor will decide that you can take this medicine or not.
Ondansetron may cause changes in the vision, so one should avoid driving or operating any machine that required mental alertness.
People with an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and phenylketonuria (too much of protein phenylalanine in the blood) should not take Ondansetron as it may cause serious conditions. The liver patient should not take more than 8 mg of Ondansetron daily. Taking Ondansetron with apomorphine can cause a sharp dip in blood pressure, even leading to death, so avoid its intake together.
