Zuplenz
Pruritus, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Nausea + 8 more
Treatment
4 Active Studies for Zuplenz
Treatment for
Pruritus
What is Zuplenz
Ondansetron
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Ondansetron is a drug used to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It has also been shown to have anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic properties. It was developed in the 1980s by GlaxoSmithKline and approved by the US FDA in 1991. It is available in the form of oral tablets, orally dissolving tablets, injections, and generic products. Recently, orally soluble films have also been developed which make it easier for patients to take the drug during vomiting.
Zofran
is the brand name
Zuplenz Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Zofran
Ondansetron
1991
583
Effectiveness
How Zuplenz Affects Patients
Ondansetron is a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It works by blocking serotonin receptors that are located in the nerve endings of the vagus nerve, as well as the area postrema in the brain. These receptors help to trigger the vomiting reflex and cause nausea. Ondansetron has been found to prolong the QTc interval, which is a measure of the time between heartbeats, but this effect is only seen in high doses given intravenously. No ECG assessment study has been done for orally administered ondansetron and the effects of the recommended dose for children have
How Zuplenz works in the body
Ondansetron works by blocking a nerve reflex that causes you to vomit. This reflex is triggered when a chemical called serotonin is released in response to treatment like chemotherapy or radiation. Ondansetron targets the receptors that serotonin binds to, which stops the reflex and prevents vomiting. This effect has been seen in cases of postoperative nausea and vomiting, as well as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The exact mechanism of how it works in cases of opiate-induced emesis is not yet known.
When to interrupt dosage
The suggested dosage of Zuplenz is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as Uremia, radiation therapy induced nausea and vomiting and Pharmacotherapy. The measure of dosage fluctuates as per the method of administration noted in the table beneath.
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
Zuplenz has one contraindication and should not be consumed in combination with the circumstances detailed in the following table.
Zuplenz Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Zuplenz.
Common Zuplenz 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.
Zuplenz Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Taking too much ondansetron can lead to unusual side effects, including temporary blindness, low blood pressure, constipation, neuromuscular issues, drowsiness, and seizures. All of these symptoms have been resolved in the instances reported. Ondansetron is not recommended for use during pregnancy and it is unknown if it is excreted in breast milk, so nursing is not advised while taking this medication. There is not enough information available to provide dosage recommendations for children who are 3 years old or younger.
Zuplenz Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Zuplenz?
Currently, two clinical trials are investigating the use of Zuplenz to alleviate Nausea, Uremia and radiation-induced Nausea and Vomiting.
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
Zuplenz Reviews: What are patients saying about Zuplenz?
5
Patient Review
4/21/2015
Zuplenz for Prevent Nausea and Vomiting from Cancer Chemotherapy
Patient Q&A Section about zuplenz
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What is Zuplenz used for?
"This medication is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy), radiation treatment, or drugs used to put you to sleep before surgery. Ondansetron works by blocking one of the body's natural substances (serotonin) that causes vomiting."
Answered by AI
What is ondansetron mainly used for?
"Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting."
Answered by AI
How do you take Zuplenz?
"The patient should place the film on top of his tongue, where it will dissolve within 4 to 20 seconds. Once it has dissolved, the patient can swallow liquid if he wishes, but it is not required. The patient should wash his hands after taking ZUPLENZ."
Answered by AI
How much does Zuplenz cost?
"Zuplenz oral disintegrating strips cost around $1,127 for a supply of 30, depending on the pharmacy you visit."
Answered by AI