Brand Name

Zofran {GlaxoSmithKline}

Generic Name

ondansetron, pronounced on DAN se tron

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Zofran?

Zofran is medication used to help prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery or by medicine to treat cancer, like chemotherapy or radiation. Zofran works by blocking the actions of the chemicals in your body that may trigger nausea and vomiting.

Zofran may also be used for reasons not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Zofran

Zofran may rarely cause serious side effects, such as blurred vision or temporary vision loss, which can last a few minutes to a few hours, low heart rate, trouble breathing, anxiety, agitation, shivering, a faint feeling and less than normal or no urination. If you should experience any of these adverse effects while taking Zofran stop taking this medication immediately and call your doctor.

You may experience an impairment of your thinking or reactions while taking Zofran. Take care when driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert.

Zofran is in FDA pregnancy category B. Zofran is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but you should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medication. We do not know if Zofran passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not take Zofran without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Zofran should never be given to a child younger than 4 years old.

Before You Take Zofran

If you are allergic to ondansetron, or other similar medications like dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or palonosetron (Aloxi) you should not take Zofran.

You should not take Zofran if you are also being treated with apomorphine (Apokyn).

Tell your doctor before starting Zofran if you have liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have congestive heart disease, heart failure or a heart rhythm disorder before you take Zofran.

If you have a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Zofran.

Tell your doctor if you have an electrolyte imbalance, like low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.

Zofran may impair your thinking and reaction time. Be careful when driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert, especially when you first start taking Zofran.

Zofran Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antibiotics like clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
• antidepressants like amitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), clomipramine (Anafranil), and desipramine (Norpramin)
• anti-malaria medications like chloroquine (Aralen) or mefloquine (Lariam)
• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox)
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
• chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril)
• dolasetron (Anzemet)
• droperidol (Inapsine)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• heart rhythm medications including amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), dronedarone (Multaq), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), and sotalol (Betapace)
• methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine)
• phenobarbital (Luminal)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• pimozide (Orap)
• sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet)
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• thioridazine (Mellaril)
• tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet)
• ziprasidone (Geodon)
• zolmitriptan (Zomig);

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Zofran. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Zofran

You should take Zofran exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Zofran in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You should take Zofran tablets with a full (8 oz.) glass of water.

Zofran may be taken with or without food.

If you are taking the Zofran orally disintegrating tablet (Zofran ODT) you should keep

the tablets in its blister pack until you are ready to use it. Be sure to open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister, and do not push a tablet through the foil, as this may damage the tablet. Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin dissolving immediately. Be certain you do not swallow the tablet, and allow it to completely dissolve in your mouth without chewing it. Swallow a few times after the tablet has dissolved, and you may drink some liquid as well, to be sure that all of the Zofran is gone.

Use a special dose-measuring spoon or cup to take liquid Zofran. Do not use a regular table spoon. Your pharmacy can provide you with a dose-measuring device if you do not have one.

Your doctor may have you undergo heart function tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) on a regular basis. Be sure to see your doctor for regular appointments while you are taking Zofran.

Zofran needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Zofran you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Zofran Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Zofran and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• agitation
• allergic reaction like breathing difficulties hives or swelling of your face, lips throat or tongue.
• anxiety
• blurred vision or temporary vision loss (can last a few minutes to several hours)
• dizziness which is severe
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• feeling faint
• shivering
• shortness of breath
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects of Zofran may include:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• exhaustion
• fever
• headache
• weakness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Zofran. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Zofran Description and Dosing

Zofran is available in the following dosages:

Zofran 4mg tablets are white, oval, film-coated and engraved with “Zofran” on one side and “4” on the other side.

Zofran 8mg tablets are yellow, oval, film-coated tablets and engraved with “Zofran” on one side and “8” on the other side.

Zofran ODT Orally Disintegrating Tablets are offered in 4mg doses, and are white, round and plano-convex tablets debossed with a”Z4″ on one side.

Zofran ODT Orally Disintegrating Tablets are offered in 8mg doses, and white, round and plano-convex tablets debossed with a “Z8” on one side.

Zofran Oral Solution is a clear, colorless to light yellow liquid with a characteristic strawberry odor.

Anyone taking Zofran should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Zofran you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Zofran

The main active ingredient in Zofran is ondansetron hydrochloride. Inactive ingredients in the four milligram and 8 milligram tablets include inactive ingredients lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and iron oxide yellow (8-mg tablet only). Zofran ODT Orally Disintegrating Tablets, both the four milligram and 8 milligram dosages include the inactive ingredients aspartame, gelatin, mannitol, methylparaben sodium, propylparaben sodium, and strawberry flavor. Zofran Oral Solution contains the inactive ingredients citric acid anhydrous, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, sorbitol, and strawberry flavor.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.