Zofran

Zofran prevents nausea and vomiting by blocking the body's production of serotonin. Zofran can cause headaches, tiredness, and constipation.

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Pharmacist Trey Robinson, PharmD summarizes the uses, common side effects, and warnings for the 5HT3 blockers class of medications
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Pharmacist Trey Robinson, PharmD summarizes the uses, common side effects, and warnings for the 5HT3 blockers class of medications
Antiemetics
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Pharmacist Trey Robinson, PharmD summarizes the uses, common side effects, and warnings for the antiemetics class of medications

Zofran Overview

Updated: 

Zofran is a prescription medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or surgery. Zofran belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists, which block serotonin, a natural chemical in the body, from causing nausea and vomiting.

This medication comes in several oral forms: tablets and and solution (liquid). Zofran is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

The first oral dose of Zofran is usually taken 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy, 1 to 2 hours before the start of radiation therapy, or 1 hour before surgery.

Common side effects include headache, tiredness, and constipation. Zofran can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

How was your experience with Zofran?

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What are you taking Zofran for?

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  • Other
  • Alcoholism
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Zofran work for you?

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Zofran Cautionary Labels

precautions

Uses of Zofran

Zofran is a prescription medication used for the:

  • prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
  • prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy
  • prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by surgery 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Zofran Drug Class

Zofran is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Zofran

Zofran can cause serious side effects. See "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects include:

  • headache
  • tiredness
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness

This is not a complete list of Zofran side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Zofran Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • apomorphine (Apokyn)
  • medications for irregular heart beat
  • carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol)
  • phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
  • rifampicin (Rifadin)
  • tramadol (Rybix, Rybix ODT, Ultram, Ultram ER)

This is not a complete list of Zofran drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

 

Zofran Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Zofran including:

  • hypotension. Zofran and apomorphine (Apokyn) should not be taken at the same time as there is a risk of dangerously low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
  • severe allergic reactions. Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions have been reported in patients who are allergic to other selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.
  • changes in heart rhythm. ECG changes including QT interval prolongation has been seen in patients receiving Zofran. 
  • masking symptoms of intestinal blockage. Using Zofran after abdominal surgery or chemotherapy may mask the symptoms of an intestinal blockage (abdominal ileus). 

Do not take Zofran if you:

  • are allergic to Zofran or any ingredient in it
  • are taking apomorphine (Apokyn)
  • have long QT syndrome (condition that increases the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat that may cause fainting or sudden death)

Zofran can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Zofran affects you.

Zofran Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Zofran, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

 

Inform MD

Before taking Zofran, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • or anyone in your family has or has ever had long QT syndrome (condition that increases the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat that may cause fainting or sudden death)
  • have heart disease
  • have liver disease
  • have an electrolyte imbalance
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Zofran and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Zofran falls into category B. There are no good studies that have been done in humans with Zofran. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Zofran and Lactation

It is not known if Zofran crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Zofran.

 

Zofran Usage

  • The first oral dose of Zofran is usually taken 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy, 1 to 2 hours before the start of radiation therapy, or 1 hour before surgery.
  • Your Zofran dosage can be taken with or without food. 
  • If you miss a dose of Zofran, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of Zofran.

 

Zofran Dosage

Take Zofran exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

Surgery

The recommended Zofran dose for preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery is 16 mg taken one hour before anesthesia is administered.

Chemotherapy

High-risk (for nausea and vomiting) chemotherapy: The dose of Zofran for high-risk chemotherapy is 24 mg 30 minutes before chemotherapy.

Medium-risk (for nausea and vomiting) chemotherapy: The dose of Zofran for medium-risk chemotherapy is 8 mg twice daily.

  • The first dose should be taken 30 minutes before chemotherapy.
  • The second dose should be taken eight hours after the first dose.
  • After that, Zofran should be taken twice a day (about every 12 hours) until one to two days after chemotherapy.

Radiation

The recommended oral dosage of Zofran is one 8 mg given 3 times a day.

Total body irradiation: The dose of Zofran for total body irradiation is 8 mg taken one to two hours before radiotherapy each day of radiation treatment.

Single high-dose fraction radiotherapy to the abdomen:The recommended dose is 8 mg taken one to two hours before radiotherapy followed by 8 mg every eight hours until one to two days after radiation.

Daily fractionated radiotherapy to the abdomen: The recommended dose is 8 mg taken each day one to two hours before radiotherapy, with subsequent doses every 8 hours after the first dose for each day radiotherapy is given.

Dose in Patients with Liver Disease

The dose of Zofran is decreased for people who have poor liver function (hepatic function). People with severely impaired liver function should not take more than 8 mg Zofran total each day.

Zofran Overdose

If you take too much Zofran, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Other Requirements

Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.