Ondansetron
Pruritus, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Nausea + 8 more
Treatment
4 Active Studies for Ondansetron
Treatment for
Pruritus
What is Ondansetron
Ondansetron
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Ondansetron is a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin. It is also known to have calming and anti-psychotic effects. Developed in the 1980s by GlaxoSmithKline and approved by the FDA in 1991, ondansetron comes in oral tablets, dissolving tablets, and injections, and generic versions are also available. Recently, an orally soluble film version was developed that is easier to take and hides discreetly.
Zofran
is the brand name
Ondansetron Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Zofran
Ondansetron
1991
583
Effectiveness
How Ondansetron Affects Patients
Ondansetron is a medication that prevents nausea and vomiting. It works by blocking serotonin receptors in the brain and GI tract, which then stops the reflex that causes these symptoms. When taken intravenously, high doses of this drug can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation. However, when taken orally, this drug is not thought to cause this side effect. Other effects of ondansetron include slowing down colonic transit and having no effect on plasma prolactin concentrations.
How Ondansetron works in the body
Ondansetron works by blocking serotonin receptors, which help to regulate the vomiting reflex. This reflex is triggered by the release of serotonin from cells in the small intestine. Ondansetron works to prevent this reflex, likely by blocking serotonin receptors located in the peripheral or central nervous systems. We don't know for sure how ondansetron works to prevent vomiting from opiates, but it likely works in a similar way.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Ondansetron is contingent upon the diagnosed status, including Uremia, radiation therapy caused nausea and vomiting and Pharmacotherapy. The extent of dosage may be found in the table beneath, based on the method of administration.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Pharmacotherapy
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Nausea
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Uremia
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Pharmacotherapy
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Malignant Neoplasms
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Pruritus
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Nausea
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
radiation therapy induced nausea and vomiting
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Nausea
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Malignant Neoplasms
3.2 mg/mL, , 2.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg, 16.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 8.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Film - Oral, Film, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Injection - Intravenous, Sublingual, Troche, Troche - Sublingual, Tablet, coated - Oral, Intramuscular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular, Film, soluble - Oral, Film, soluble
Warnings
Ondansetron Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Ondansetron.
Common Ondansetron Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Amitriptyline
Major
The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Ondansetron.
Amoxapine
Major
The metabolism of Amoxapine can be decreased when combined with Ondansetron.
Anagrelide
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Ondansetron is combined with Anagrelide.
Apomorphine
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ondansetron is combined with Apomorphine.
Arsenic trioxide
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Ondansetron is combined with Arsenic trioxide.
Ondansetron Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Taking too much ondansetron may lead to unexpected side effects such as temporary blindness, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, neurological problems, and seizures. There is also not enough information to safely recommend taking ondansetron during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, or for children 3 years of age or younger.
Ondansetron Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Ondansetron?
Two active studies are presently exploring the potential of Ondansetron to reduce Nausea, Uremia and radiation therapy induced emesis.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
0 Actively Recruiting
Nausea
0 Actively Recruiting
radiation therapy induced nausea and vomiting
0 Actively Recruiting
Malignant Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Nausea
3 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Nausea
0 Actively Recruiting
Pruritus
0 Actively Recruiting
Pharmacotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Uremia
0 Actively Recruiting
Pharmacotherapy
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Malignant Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Patient Q&A Section about ondansetron
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What is ondansetron mainly used for?
"Ondansetron is a medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting. It is in a class of medications called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Ondansetron works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting."
Answered by AI
Is ondansetron 4mg a narcotic?
"Zofran is not a narcotic; it is a 5-HT3 (serotonin) receptor antagonist."
Answered by AI
How long does it take for ondansetron to kick in?
"ODT: Put the tablet on your tongue and wait for it to dissolve.
Ondansetron can be taken with or without food. For tablets, swallow with a glass of water. For ODT, put on tongue and wait for it to dissolve. It starts to work within 30 minutes to an hour."
Answered by AI
Is ondansetron used for anxiety?
"The study concludes that ondansetron is an effective treatment against early onset alcoholism, and that it may also help to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety."
Answered by AI