Ondansetron (Injection)

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• 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.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• 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 after the first dose and 8 hours after the first dose.
• 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.
• 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.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using tramadol (Ultram®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• 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), 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®).
• This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive the medicine.
• This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you or your child have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats.
• Check with your doctor right away if you or your child start to have pain or swelling in your stomach area. These may be signs of a serious stomach or bowel problem.
• Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after leaving the hospital or cancer treatment center.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain, or fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Problems with balance, walking, vision, or speech.
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (often in your eyes, jaw, neck or upper body).

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Drowsiness.
• Feeling anxiety or irritable.
• Fever or chills.
• Headache.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Muscle pain.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, stinging, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Tiredness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Ondansetron (on-DAN-se-tron)

Prevents nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments (chemotherapy or radiation), including cisplatin. Also prevents and treats nausea and vomiting that may happen after surgery.

Brand Name(s)

Amerinet Choice Ondansetron, Ondansetron Novaplus, Novaplus Ondansetron, Zofran