The active ingredient in Zofran is ondansetron. This medication is used alone or with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy. It is also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery. It works by blocking one of the body's natural substances (serotonin) that causes vomiting.
Directions
Take Zofran exactly as it was prescribed by your doctor. This medicine can be taken with or without food. Take the Zofran with a full glass of water. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. To prevent nausea from chemotherapy, take this medication by mouth usually within 30 minutes before treatment begins. To prevent nausea from radiation treatment, take this medication by mouth 1 to 2 hours before the start of your treatment. To prevent nausea after surgery, take ondansetron by mouth 1 hour before the start of surgery.
Precautions
Before taking Zofran tell your doctor if you have liver disease or stomach/intestinal problems. Zofran may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive a car. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Contraindications
You should not use Zofran if you are allergic to ondansetron. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not recommended in children under 4 years of age.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have blurred vision, anxiety, urinating less than usual, difficulty breathing, slow heart rate, hives. Less serious side effects may include: weakness, dizziness, diarrhea, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: rifampin, phenytoin, tramadol, phenobarbital, carbamazepine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are loss of vision, severe constipation, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Store it in a tight container. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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