ZOFRAN (Ondansetron)

Inservice Information Package

Directions:  Study this information and take the online Zofran exam

What is it used for?

• Preventing and treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer

• Preventing and treating nausea and vomiting following surgery.

• Treating Persistent and Severe Nausea and Vomiting in the prehospital setting

Use with caution in

• Allergy to other 5HT₃ antagonists, eg granisetron
• Decreased liver function
• Blockage of the gut (intestinal obstruction)
• Disurbances of the levels of salts (electrolytes) such as potassium, sodium and magnesium in the blood
• History of heart problems
• Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
• People taking medicines to treat an irregular heart beat (antiarrhythmics) or beta-blocker medicines.

Not to be used in

Known hypersensitivity or allergy to any ingredient.

Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Headache
• Constipation
• Flushing
• Hiccups
• Allergy to active ingredient (hypersensitivity)
• Involuntary movements
• Alteration in results of liver function tests
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Chest pain
• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
• Seizures

Adult Dosing: The recommended I.V. dosage of ZOFRAN for adults is 4 mg undiluted administered intravenously in not less than 30 seconds, preferably over 2 to 5 minutes. Alternatively, 4 mg undiluted may be administered intramuscularly as a single injection for adults. While recommended as a fixed dose for patients weighing more than 40 kg, few patients above 80 kg have been studied. I.V. dose of ondansetron 4 mg, administration of a second I.V. dose of 4 mg ondansetron, does not provide additional control of nausea and vomiting

Pediatric Dosing: The recommended I.V. dosage of ZOFRAN for (1 month to 12 years of age) is a single 0.1-mg/kg dose for patients weighing 40 kg or less, or a single 4-mg dose for patients weighing more than 40 kg. The rate of administration should not be less than 30 seconds, preferably over 2 to 5 minutes.  Current Protocol requires Medical Command be contacted for a patient <14 years old with severe nasuea and vomiting before using Zofran.