Ondansetron (Systemic)
Brand Names : Zofran, Zofran ODT
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ondansetron, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to ondansetron, granisetron, or dolasetron. Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such
as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Ondansetron has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other
problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether ondansetron passes into
the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - This medicine has been tested in a limited number
of children with cancer 4 years of age or older and after surgery in children
2 to 12 years of age. In effective doses, the medicine has not been shown
to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested in a limited number
of cancer patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause
different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger
adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of ondansetron. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Abdominal surgery - Use of ondansetron may cover up stomach problems
-
Liver disease - Patients with liver disease may have an increased
chance of side effects
-
Phenylketonuria (PKU) - The oral disintegrating tablets may contain
aspartame, which can make your condition worse
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