Drug Action
Ondansetron is a specific 5HT3-receptor antagonist which blocks 5HT3 receptors in the gastro- intestinal tract and in the CNS.
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Individual generic drug information
Extracted information for Ondansetron only.
Ondansetron is a specific 5HT3-receptor antagonist which blocks 5HT3 receptors in the gastro- intestinal tract and in the CNS.
Source page 477
Moderately emetogenic chemotherapy or radiotherapy ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: Initially 8 mg, dose to be taken 1–2 hours before treatment, then 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days ▶BY RECTUM ▶Adult: Initially 16 mg, dose to be taken 1–2 hours before treatment, then 16 mg daily for up to 5 days ▶INITIALLY BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, OR BY SLOW INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: Initially 8 mg, dose to be administered immediately before treatment, then (by mouth) 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days, alternatively (by rectum) 16 mg daily for up to 5 days ▶INITIALLY BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Elderly: Initially 8 mg, dose to be administered immediately before treatment, intravenous infusion to be given over at least 15 minutes, then (by mouth) 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days, alternatively (by rectum) 16 mg daily for up to 5 days Severely emetogenic chemotherapy (consult product literature for dose of concomitant corticosteroid) ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 24 mg, dose to be taken 1–2 hours before treatment, then 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days ▶BY RECTUM ▶Adult: 16 mg, dose to be administered 1–2 hours before treatment, then 16 mg daily for up to 5 days ▶INITIALLY BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, OR BY SLOW INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: Initially 8 mg, dose to be administered immediately before treatment, followed by (by Nervous system intramuscular injection or by slow intravenous injection) 8 mg every 4 hours if required for 2 doses, alternatively, followed by (by continuous intravenous infusion) 1 mg/hour for up to 24 hours, then (by mouth) 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days, alternatively (by rectum) 16 mg daily for up to 5 days ▶INITIALLY BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION ▶Adult 65–74 years: Initially 8 mg, to be given immediately before treatment, followed by (by intramuscular injection) 8 mg every 4 hours if required for 2 doses, alternatively, followed by (by continuous intravenous infusion) 1 mg/hour for up to 24 hours, then (by mouth) 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days, alternatively (by rectum) 16 mg daily for up to 5 days ▶INITIALLY BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: Initially 16 mg, immediately before treatment (over at least 15 minutes), followed by (by intramuscular injection or by slow intravenous injection) 8 mg every 4 hours if required for 2 doses, then (by mouth) 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days, alternatively (by rectum) 16 mg daily for up to 5 days ▶Adult 65–74 years: Initially 8–16 mg, immediately before treatment (over at least 15 minutes), followed by (by intramuscular injection or by intravenous infusion) 8 mg every 4 hours if required for 2 doses, then (by mouth) 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days, alternatively (by rectum) 16 mg daily for up to 5 days ▶Adult 75 years and over: Initially 8 mg, immediately before treatment (over at least 15 minutes), followed by (by intravenous infusion) 8 mg every 4 hours if required for 2 doses, then (by mouth) 8 mg every 12 hours for up to 5 days, alternatively (by rectum) 16 mg daily for up to 5 days Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting ▶INITIALLY BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 16 mg, dose to be taken 1 hour before anaesthesia, alternatively (by intramuscular injection or by slow intravenous injection) 4 mg, dose to be administered at induction of anaesthesia Treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting ▶BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, OR BY SLOW INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: 4 mg for 1 dose
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Congenital long QT syndrome
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Adenotonsillar surgery. subacute intestinal obstruction. susceptibility to QT-interval prolongation (including electrolyte disturbances)
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Flavours of oral liquid formulations may include strawberry.
Source page 478
Extracted information for Ondansetron only.
MHRA/CHM ADVICE: ONDANSETRON: SMALL INCREASED RISK OF ORAL CLEFTS FOLLOWING USE IN THE FIRST 12 WEEKS OF
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(JANUARY 2020) Epidemiological studies have identified a small increased risk of cleft lip and/or cleft palate in babies born to women who used oral ondansetron during the first trimester of pregnancy. Healthcare professionals are advised that if there is a clinical need for ondansetron in pregnancy, patients should be counselled on the potential benefits and risks, and the final decision made jointly. Manufacturer advises avoid in first trimester—small increased risk of congenital abnormalities such as orofacial clefts, see Important safety information.
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→Appendix 1: ondansetron
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▶Common or very common Constipation. feeling hot. headache. sensation abnormal ▶Uncommon Arrhythmias. chest pain. hiccups. hypotension. movement disorders. oculogyric crisis. seizure ▶Rare or very rare Dizziness. QT interval prolongation. Nervous system vision disorders
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Present in milk in animal studies—avoid.
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Manufacturer advises caution in moderate to severe impairment (decreased clearance). Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises maximum 8 mg daily in moderate to severe impairment.
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Extracted information for Ondansetron only.
▶With intravenous use For intravenous infusion (Zofran ®), give continuously or intermittently in Glucose 5% or Glucose 5% with Potassium chloride 0.3% or Sodium chloride 0.9% or Sodium chloride 0.9% with Potassium chloride 0.3% or Mannitol 10% or Ringers solution; for intermittent infusion, dilute the required dose in 50–100 mL of infusion fluid and give over at least 15 minutes. ▶With oral use Orodispersible films and lyophylisates should be placed on the tongue, allowed to disperse and swallowed.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension, oral solution Tablet ▶Ondansetron (Non-proprietary) Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 4 mg Ondansetron 4mg tablets | 10 tablet P £25.46 DT = £1.55 | 30 tablet P £4.65–£86.33 Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 8 mg Ondansetron 8mg tablets | 10 tablet P £57.55 DT = £1.57 ▶Ondemet (Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd) Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 8 mg Ondemet 8mg tablets | 10 tablet P £54.36 DT = £1.57 (Hospital only) ▶Zofran (Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 4 mg Zofran 4mg tablets | 30 tablet P £107.91 Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 8 mg Zofran 8mg tablets | 10 tablet P £71.94 DT = £1.57 Suppository ▶Zofran (Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) Ondansetron 16 mg Zofran 16mg suppositories | 1 suppository P £14.39 DT = £14.39 Solution for injection ▶Ondansetron (Non-proprietary) Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 2 mg per 1 ml Ondansetron 8mg/4ml solution for injection ampoules | 5 ampoule P £56.95 DT = £59.95 (Hospital only) | 5 ampoule P £11.80–£58.45 DT = £59.95 Ondansetron 4mg/2ml solution for injection ampoules | 5 ampoule P £28.47 DT = £29.97 (Hospital only) | 5 ampoule P £5.80–£34.44 DT = £29.97 | 10 ampoule P £15.00 DT = £15.00 ▶Zofran Flexi-amp (Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 2 mg per 1 ml Zofran Flexi-amp 4mg/2ml solution for injection ampoules | 5 ampoule P £29.97 DT = £29.97 Zofran Flexi-amp 8mg/4ml solution for injection ampoules | 5 ampoule P £59.95 DT = £59.95 Oral solution ▶Ondansetron (Non-proprietary) Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 800 microgram per 1 ml Ondansetron 4mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free | 50 ml P £42.68 DT = £42.28 ▶Zofran (Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) Ondansetron (as Ondansetron hydrochloride) 800 microgram per 1 ml Zofran 4mg/5ml syrup sugar-free | 50 ml P £35.97 DT = £42.28 Orodispersible film ▶Setofilm (Norgine Pharmaceuticals Ltd) Ondansetron 4 mg Setofilm 4mg orodispersible films sugar-free | 10 film P £28.50 DT = £28.50 Ondansetron 8 mg Setofilm 8mg orodispersible films sugar-free | 10 film P £57.00 DT = £57.00 Oral lyophilisate EXCIPIENTS: May contain Aspartame ▶Zofran Melt (Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) Ondansetron 4 mg Zofran Melt 4mg oral lyophilisates sugar-free | 10 tablet P £35.97 DT = £35.97 Ondansetron 8 mg Zofran Melt 8mg oral lyophilisates sugar-free | 10 tablet P £71.94 DT = £71.94 Orodispersible tablet ▶Ondansetron (Non-proprietary) Ondansetron 4 mg Ondansetron 4mg orodispersible tablets | 10 tablet P £43.48 DT = £43.48 Ondansetron 8 mg Ondansetron 8mg orodispersible tablets | 10 tablet P £85.43 DT = £85.43
Source page 478
Extracted information for Ondansetron only.
Patients or carers should be given advice on how to administer orodispersible films and lyophilisates.
Source page 478
Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 8 mg, dose to be taken 1–2 hours before
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 16 mg, dose to be taken 1–2 hours
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 8 mg, dose to be administered
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
24 mg, dose to be taken 1–2 hours before
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
16 mg, dose to be administered 1–2 hours before
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 8 mg, dose to be administered
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 8 mg, to be given
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 16 mg, immediately before treatment
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 8–16 mg, immediately
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
Initially 8 mg, immediately
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
16 mg, dose to be taken 1 hour before
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477
First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.
4 mg for 1 dose
This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.
Candidate age grouping · source page 477