Zofran (Ondansetron)
October 6th, 2011 by admin1
Zofran is the product name of the drug ondansertron. Zofran is in a class of medication called 5HT3 receptor antagonists. It is used to prevent nausea and vomiting during cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This medication works by blocking serotonin, a substance that the body naturally produces that may cause nausea and vomiting. Usually the dosage is taken about 30 minutes prior to the start of your chemotherapy session. This medication may also be prescribed for other uses, however, your doctor or pharmacist will have more information about those usages.
Do not use Zofran if you are allergic to ondansertron or any of the other ingredients that are in Zofran, your doctor will have more information about the ingredients of Zofran. Talk to your doctor about any other medications and supplements that you are taking as those may adversely affect Zofran. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are going to become pregnant or are breast feeding. Also tell your doctor if you have had or have liver disease.
Zofran has been known to cause side effects in clinical studies. If you experience any side effects that are serious or do not go away contact your doctor. These symptoms may include:
- diarrhea
- headache
- constipation
- weakness
- tiredness
- dizziness
Some side effects are serious and have adverse effects on the body. If you experience any of these side effects call your doctor immediately. Serious side effects include:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- shortness of breath
- noisy, high pitched breathing
Zofran may have similar side effects to that of Prozac. More common Prozac side effects include:
- nervousness
- nausea
- dry mouth
- sore throat
- drowsiness
- weakness
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- changes in sex drive or ability
- excessive sweating
There are other side effects that are caused by Prozac and if you experience anything unusual while taking it call your doctor.
Be careful not to overdose on Zofran. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency personnel at 911. Symptoms of overdose include:
- unsteadiness
- confusion
- unresponsiveness
- nervousness
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- dizziness
- rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
- fever
- fainting
- coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
Be sure to take your prescription exactly as directed or as told to your by your doctor.