{"id":53022,"date":"2022-08-08T09:00:46","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T13:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53022"},"modified":"2025-10-30T16:09:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T20:09:25","slug":"can-kids-take-zofran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-kids-take-zofran\/","title":{"rendered":"Can kids take Zofran?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may have had Zofran (<\/span>ondansetron<\/span><\/a>) prescribed to you for nausea after a particularly bad <\/span>stomach flu<\/span><\/a>, gastroenteritis, or <\/span>food poisoning<\/span><\/a>, but it is most often known as a chemotherapy drug. However, if your child is having severe nausea or vomiting, you may want to do anything in your power to make their symptoms stop and give them a chance to rehydrate and recover. Here, we go over if Zofran may be an option for children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Zofran?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zofran<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>ondansetron<\/span><\/a>) is commonly prescribed in hospital settings like emergency rooms for severe vomiting or to prevent nausea and vomiting in people who are undergoing chemotherapy. The <\/span>dosage will vary based on the person<\/span><\/a>, including for children. Zofran has been approved for children as young as 6 months\u2014but you should never give it to a child without their own prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zofran for kids<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zofran is prescribed for children with vomiting who are unable to keep food or fluids down so they can regain their strength as they get better.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Zofran is useful in kids with stomach bugs where the main symptom is vomiting as it is an antiemetic (anti-vomiting) drug,\u201d says <\/span>Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD<\/span><\/a>, a pediatrician and consultant for<\/span> Mom Loves Best<\/span><\/a>. \u201cZofran makes it possible for a child to keep fluids down and prevent dehydration. This is known as supportive care. Zofran does not treat the stomach bug directly<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But in stomach bugs where children are experiencing diarrhea, Zofran should be avoided. \u201c<\/span>Zofran can cause diarrhea and may make diarrhea worse,\u201d Dr. Poinsett says. Since many stomach bugs often have vomiting <\/span>and <\/span><\/i>diarrhea, this means that Zofran may not always be the best drug for alleviating common stomach flu symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, Zofran should really be a used as a last resort in the case of stomach bugs \u201c<\/span>because it slows the gut motility,\u201d explains <\/span>Aniruddh Setya, MD<\/span><\/a>, a pediatric gastroenterologist at<\/span><\/p>\n

Kidz Medical Services<\/span><\/a>. Dr. Setya also adds that Zofran can slow down the time to expel the toxin or virus, which would cause more harm than benefit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though it is hard to watch your child suffer, getting rid of the virus is an important part of the healing process. Before Zofran, first try alternative supportive care such as sipping water, broth, electrolyte drinks, <\/span>Pedialyte<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Ensure<\/span><\/a>, and other fluids, or eating bland foods like gelatin, applesauce, popsicles, or crackers. \u201c<\/span>Wait 30 minutes to an hour after vomiting before giving fluids or soft foods,\u201d Dr. Poinsett says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to stomach bugs, Zofran might be prescribed for a child after having surgery if they are feeling nauseated from anesthesia. It also might be prescribed for a child going through cancer treatment if they experience nausea as a side effect of chemotherapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Always follow healthcare provider recommendations on the use of Zofran as there are some associated risks and contraindications outlined below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Zofran side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zofran is usually safe to use, but it does have some <\/span>common side effects<\/span><\/a>, including:<\/span><\/p>\n