Ondansetron (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Zofran

Proper Use of This Medicine

If you vomit within 30 minutes after taking this medicine, take the same amount of medicine again. If vomiting continues, check with your doctor.

For patients using the oral disintegrating tablet form of this medicine:

• Make sure your hands are dry.
• Do not push the tablet through the foil backing of the package. Instead, gently peel back the foil backing and remove the tablet.
• Immediately place the tablet on top of the tongue.
• The tablet will dissolve in seconds, and you may swallow it with your saliva. You do not need to drink water or other liquid to swallow the tablet.

Dosing-

The dose of ondansetron will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only average doses of ondansetron. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral dosage forms (solution, oral disintegrating tablets, and tablets):
  • For prevention of moderate nausea and vomiting after anticancer medicine:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older-At first, the dose is 8 milligrams (mg) taken thirty minutes before the anticancer medicine is given. The 8-mg dose is taken again eight hours after the first dose. Then, the dose is 8 mg every twelve hours for one to two days.
    • Children 4 to 11 years of age-At first, the dose is 4 mg taken thirty minutes before the anticancer medicine is given. The 4-mg dose is taken again four and eight hours after the first dose. Then, the dose is 4 mg every eight hours for one to two days.
    • Children up to 4 years of age-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention of more severe nausea and vomiting after anticancer medicine:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older-One 24-milligram (mg) tablet taken thirty minutes before the anticancer medicine is given.
    • Children up to 12 years of age-Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery:
    • Adults-Dose is usually 16 mg one hour before anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep before surgery).
    • Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after radiation treatment:
    • Adults-At first, the dose is 8 mg taken one to two hours before radiation treatment. Then, the dose is 8 mg every eight hours.
    • Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after anticancer medicine:
    • Adults-Dose is usually 32 mg injected into a vein, over a period of fifteen minutes, beginning thirty minutes before the anticancer medicine is given. Or, if the dose is based on body weight, it is usually 150 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) (68 mcg per pound) of body weight. This dose is injected into a vein over a period of fifteen minutes, beginning thirty minutes before the anticancer medicine is given. It is injected again four and eight hours after the first dose.
    • Children 6 months to 18 years of age-Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. It is usually 150 mcg per kg (68 mcg per pound) of body weight, injected into a vein over a period of fifteen minutes, beginning thirty minutes before the anticancer medicine is given. The dose is given again four and eight hours after the first dose.
    • Children up to 6 months of age-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery:
    • Adults-Dose is usually 4 mg injected into a vein over a period of thirty seconds to five minutes. It is given just before anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep before surgery) or right after surgery if nausea and vomiting begin.
    • Children 1 month to 12 years of age-Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. It is usually 100 mcg per kg (45.5 mcg per pound) of body weight for children weighing 40 kg or less (88 pounds or less), or 4 mg for children weighing over 40 kg (over 88 pounds). The dose is injected into a vein over a period of thirty seconds to five minutes. It is given just before anesthesia or after surgery if nausea and vomiting begin.
    • Children up to 1 month of age-Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine, and you do not feel nauseated, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose of this medicine, and you feel nauseated or you vomit, take the missed dose as soon as possible.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 04/12/2005

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