Prescription Required
Description
Zofran is an oral tablet made up of a 5HT3 receptor antagonist called ondansetron. We carry the brand choice and the generic alternative of this medication in 4mg and 8mg.
Zofran is prescribed to patients experiencing nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are methods of killing cancer cells, however, they also kill healthy cells in the process. The affected (healthy) cells are usually located in the protective lining of the mouth and digestive tract which then causes irritation leading to symptoms of nausea and vomiting. These symptoms occur after surgery usually due to the anesthesia, but may also be caused by pain or discomfort.
Zofran (ondansetron) is effective at treating nausea and vomiting in post surgery, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment because it is able to block the actions of the chemicals in the body that cause you to have these reactions (nausea and vomiting).
Directions
Your doctor will tell you before prescribing you Zofran (ondansetron) exactly how to take this medication. Follow his or her directions, they can usually be found on the prescription label if you forget.
Zofran is taken with or without food, usually at the start of your surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatment. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
Ensure the lid is tightly closed when not in use. Avoid keeping this medication in an area where it risks becoming wet or hot. Keep out of reach of children.
Cautions
Do not use Zofran (ondansetron)
Zofran should not be used by those who are allergic to ondansetron or other similar medicines (dolasetron, granisetron, palonosetron), or if you also use apomorphine (Apokyn).
This medication is not approved for those under the age of 4 years old.
Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required
To ensure this medication is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, an electrolyte imbalance, congestive heart failure, slow heartbeats, a personal or family history of long QT syndrome, or a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines).
Risks
This medication is not expected to harm an unborn baby however it is still recommended you tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
It is not known if this medication will pass into breast milk or if it will harm a nursing infant. Tell your doctor if you are breast feeding.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Zofran (ondansetron) may include:
diarrhea or constipation; headache; drowsiness; or tired feeling.
The above side effects should not alarm you.
Serious side effects of Zofran (ondansetron) may include:
severe constipation, stomach pain, or bloating; headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats; fast or pounding heartbeats; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); blurred vision or temporary vision loss (lasting from only a few minutes to several hours); or
high levels of serotonin in the body: agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.
If you have any of the above side effects or signs, contact your doctor right away.
Please note this is not a complete list of side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects; they are not guaranteed. If you do have side effects and they become unmanageable, consult your doctor about alternate medications.
FAQs
What is Zofran?
Zofran is a brand-name prescription medication containing Ondansetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist. It comes in the form of a tablet for oral administration in 4 or 8 mg. Tablets are taken by mouth, metabolized by the liver, and excreted by the kidneys with a half-life of about 5.7 hours. It is available only with a valid prescription and can be purchased as a generic alternative, sold as Ondansetron. We carry both forms (brand and generic) at My Drug Center for an affordable cost.
What is Zofran used for?
Zofran is used either alone or with other medications to help prevent symptoms of nausea or vomiting following certain types of cancer treatments. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two cancer treatments which may cause these symptoms to occur. Additionally, Zofran may be used to help prevent nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer medications, pregnancy (when vomiting is severe), acute gastroenteritis (in children), and after surgery.
How does Zofran work?
Serotonin, a natural chemical in our bodies you’ve likely heard about before, is partly responsible for feelings of nausea. Enterochromaffin cells (located in the small intestine) respond chemotherapeutic agents by releasing serotonin which may stimulate certain receptors that initiate the vomiting reflex resulting in nausea and/or vomiting. Zofran works by blocking the serotonin.
How often can you take Zofran?
The frequency in which you can take Zofran will depend on quite a few factors, especially on the indication of treatment and age. For radiation therapy in adults, it will depend on if it is a total body irradiation, single high-dose fraction radiotherapy for the abdomen, or a daily fractionated radiotherapy for the abdomen. Chemotherapy will depend on if its moderate or highly emetogenic. For children, it depends if you are between the ages of 4-11 and 12-17 (weight may also be a factor). Only your doctor will be able to determine how often you can take Zofran, there are many other factors not listed here that may also determine how often you can take the medication. For multi-dosing, the first dose is usually taken before the start of the cancer treatment with doses following every 8-12 hours after the initial dose; for children, a second dose is usually taken 4 and 8 hours the initial dose. Treatment using Zofran is commonly continued for 1-2 days following the cancer treatment.
How long does Zofran last?
The exact amount of time that therapeutic effects will remain present for will vary between each individual. The effects of Zofran can last for up to 12 hours, but for some patients the effects may only last for up to 8 hours. Take this medication exactly as directed to get the best results.
How to take Zofran?
Take Zofran exactly the way your doctor has prescribed it to you; do not take more or less of a dose than prescribed or for a longer duration. You can take your dose with a meal if your doctor hasn’t directed otherwise; tablets should be swallowed whole without chewing and taken with water. You should notify your doctor if you are unsure how they would like you to take this medication.
How long does Zofran stay in your system?
Zofran will remain in the system for up to 28.5 hours (a little over one full day), however; the exact amount of time may vary between each individual based off certain factors such as age, weight, and gender. It takes about 5.7 hours for half of the medication to clear the system.
What are the side effects of Zofran?
Some common side effects of Zofran include diarrhea or constipation, headache, tired feeling, or drowsiness. All of these side effects are a normal response of the body when taking a new medication and should not alarm you. However, if they worsen or do not go away over time, you should notify your doctor. Keep in mind, not all possible side effects have been listed here.
How long does it take for Zofran to work?
The exact length of time it takes for the onset of effects to begin will typically vary between each individual. Zofran generally begins to work within 30 minutes of administration with peak effects occurring after 2 hours. Certain factors may influence the amount of time it takes to work, so remember to take this medication exactly as prescribed and ask your doctor about any questions you may have before starting treatment.
Who makes Zofran?
In 1992, one year after getting the approval for Zofran injectable, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) was approved to manufacture and market Zofran as oral tablets. Established in 2000, GSK has become the world’s sixth largest pharmaceutical company (as of 2019) and has developed several legacy products which can be found on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines (such as Amoxicillin and Pyrimethamine). GlaxoSmithKline not only manufacturers Zofran, but many other brand-name medications you may have heard of or maybe even used before, such as Advair, Ventolin, and Zyban.
Zofran where to buy?
You can purchase the brand-name product as well as the generic alternative from the comfort of your own home at My Drug Center. Online Canadian Pharmacy services like My Drug Center make it possible for you to order medication internationally from places around the world where the medication is sold for a lower cost compared to United States pharmacies. So how much does Zofran cost at My Drug Center? My Drug Center offers you Ondansetron (Zofran) for $53.00 when you buy a supply of 30 (4mg) tablets; in the United States, 30 (4mg) tablets would cost you 16 times as much for the brand and double the cost for the generic. You can place an order today and save on your medication(s) by calling our toll free number of 1-877-385-8998; you will require a valid prescription.
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