What is Zofran? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Zofran

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

• To use the disintegrating tablet: Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it.Make sure your hands are dry. Peel back the foil, then remove the tablet from the blister pack. Do not push the tablet through the foil.Place the tablet on top of your tongue where it will dissolve in seconds. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a sip of water.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the soluble film in the foil pouch until you ready to use it.

• To use the soluble film: Make sure your hands are clean and dry.Fold the pouch along the dotted line.While still folded, tear the pouch carefully along the edge. Remove the film from the pouch.Place the film on top of your tongue. It will dissolve in 4 to 20 seconds. Do not chew or swallow the film whole.After the film has dissolved, you may swallow with or without water.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• To use the disintegrating tablet: Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it.Make sure your hands are dry. Peel back the foil, then remove the tablet from the blister pack. Do not push the tablet through the foil.Place the tablet on top of your tongue where it will dissolve in seconds. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a sip of water.

• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• To use the soluble film: Make sure your hands are clean and dry.Fold the pouch along the dotted line.While still folded, tear the pouch carefully along the edge. Remove the film from the pouch.Place the film on top of your tongue. It will dissolve in 4 to 20 seconds. Do not chew or swallow the film whole.After the film has dissolved, you may swallow with or without water.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the soluble film in the foil pouch until you ready to use it.

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

• Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

• When this medicine is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, it is usually given just before anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep before surgery) or right after surgery if nausea and vomiting begin.

• When this medicine is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines (chemotherapy), it is usually given 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Additional doses may be given 4 hours and 8 hours after the first dose.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or a vein.

• When this medicine is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines (chemotherapy), it is usually given 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Additional doses may be given 4 hours and 8 hours after the first dose.

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or a vein.

• When this medicine is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, it is usually given just before anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep before surgery) or right after surgery if nausea and vomiting begin.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

What to do if you miss a dose of Zofran

Zofran contraindications - Who shouldn't take Zofran?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to ondansetron.

• You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ondansetron. Do not use this medicine if you are receiving apomorphine (Apokyn®).

Zofran warnings

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged QT interval, torsade de pointes), mineral imbalance (such as low potassium or magnesium in the blood), stomach or bowel problems, or a recent stomach surgery. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to other similar medicines such as alosetron (Lotronex®), dolasetron (Anzemet®), granisetron (Kytril®), or palonosetron (Aloxi®).

• Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or swelling in your stomach area. These may be signs of a serious stomach or bowel problem.

• This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as QT prolongation. Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.

• Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after you leave the hospital or cancer treatment center.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged QT interval, slow heartbeat), low magnesium or potassium levels, stomach or bowel problems, or phenylketonuria (PKU).

• This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation).

• This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Zofran interactions & what to avoid when taking Zofran

• Do not use this medicine together with apomorphine.

• Some medicines may affect how ondansetron works. Tell your doctor if you are using tramadol, diuretics (water pills), or any other medicine for nausea and vomiting.

• This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after you leave the hospital or cancer treatment center.

• This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as QT prolongation. Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.

• Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or swelling in your stomach area. These may be signs of a serious stomach or bowel problem.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you also use carbamazepine (Tegretol®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), tramadol (Ultram®), or diuretics (water pills, such as furosemide, torsemide, Lasix®).