Zofran

Generic name: Ordansetron

Brand name: Zofran ODT

General Information:

Zofran belongs to antiemetic, antagonist of serotonin receptors.

Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.

Don’t stop treatment with Zofran earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Always contact a medic before giving Zofran to a child.

Pharmacological Effects:

Antiemetic.

BOS to cytostatic chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be a reason of icreasing of the level of serotonin, which by activation way of vagus afferent fibers containing 5-HT3-receptors, causes the vomiting reflex. Selectively blocks the serotonin 5-HT3-receptors of the neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system – the end n. Vagus in the intestine and in the centers of the central nervous system (mainly the bottom of the VI ventricle), regulating|controlling the implementation of the gag reflex. Does not stop the coordination of movements, does not provoke sedation and reduce efficiency. Has anxiolytic activity. Doesn’t influence on the concentration of prolactin in plasma.

Indications:

Nausea and vomiting caused|provoked by the making of cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy; postoperative nausea and vomiting – prevention and treatment.

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity, pregnancy, lactation period. Carefully. Children’s age (up to 2 years – lack of experience).

Side effects:

Allergic reactions:

angioedema, anaphylaxis, urticaria, laryngospasm, bronchospasm.

Local reaction:

burning, pain, hyperemia at the injection place.

From the digestive system:

hiccups, dry mouth, constipation, hiccups, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, sometimes asymptomatic transient increase in aminotransferase activity in serum.

From the cardiovascular system:

chest pain, blood pressure decreasing, arrhythmia, bradycardia.

From the part of the nervous system:

headache, spontaneous movement disorders, dizziness and seizures.

Other:

“flood” of blood to the skin on the face, feeling the heat, a temporary disruption of visual acuity, hypokalemia, giperkreatininemiya.

This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.

Dosage:

Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t take more or longer than your doctor recommended.

For the adults

For adult people daily dose is 8-32 mg / day. For prevention nausea and vomiting on the background of chemotherapy or radiotherapy the Zofram is taken for 8 mg 1-2 hours before the start of antineoplastic therapy with following taking 8 mg orally after 12 h. For the avoidance of late (after 24 h) or prolonged vomiting, should continue to take 8 mg 2 times a day for 5 days after completion of antitumoral therapy. To enhance the effect the single dose can be increased to 24 mg and appointed simultaneously with 12 mg of dexamethasone phosphate (as sodium salt) for 1-2 hours before chemotherapy.

Children over 2 years:

intravenously a dose of 5 mg / sq. M body surface immediately before chemotherapy, followed by oral intake a dose of 4 mg after 12 h. After the chemotherapy it is necessary to continue taking Zofran with a dose of 4 mg 2 times a day for 5 days.

Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting:

Adults are injected during induction general anesthesia intravenously(slowly) or intramuscularly in|with} a dose of 4 mg. Intramuscularly in one same body’s area Zofran may be injected at a dose not exceeding 4 mg.

For children to avoid postoperative nausea and vomiting, Zofran is used exclusively parenterally in a single dose of 0.1 mg / kg (maximum 4 mg) slowly intravenously before or after anesthesia.

If elderly patients have injured kidneys, the changing of normal daily dose and frequency of injection of the drug is not required. When liver is damaged significantly decreases clearance of Zofran, increases T1 / 2 of its plasma and is needed to reduce the dose to 8 mg / day.

Cautions:

Patients, who had previously the allergic reactions to other selective blockers 5-HT3-receptor, have a big risk of their appearing against the backdrop of Zofran. Zofran may slow the motor function of the colon, and therefore its prescription to people with signs of intestinal obstruction requires special monitoring. Injection solution is prepared immediately before use. If it is needed, it can be stored for 24 h at 2-8 dergees Celcius with normal light.

During the injection, the protection from light is not required; diluted injectable solution remains stable for at least 24 h under natural light or normal lighting conditions. To prepare the infusion solution may be applied: 5% dextrose solution, 0.9% solution of NaCl, 10% solution of mannitol, 0.3% solution of KCl and 0.9% solution of NaCl, 0.3% KCl solution and 5% dextrose, Ringer’s solution. Lingual tablets contain aspartame, it is necessary to consider while appointment of phenylketonuria patients.

Interaction:

Requires careful when taking combined: with inducers of cytochrome CYP2D6 and CYP3A – griseofulvin, papaverine, phenytoin (and presumably other hydantoin), carbamazepine, barbiturates, phenylbutazone, dinitrogen oxide, tolbutamide, rifampin, with inhibitors of the enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A – verapamil, fluconazole, disulfiram, propranolol, allopurinol, erythromycin, quinine, chloramphenicol, antidepressants (MAO inhibitors), ketoconazole, valproic acid and its salts, quinidine, estrogen oral contraceptives, diltiazem, fluoroquinolones, cimetidine, isoniazid, metronidazole, omeprazole, lovastatin, macrolide antibiotics.

Zofran in the concentration of 16-160 ug / ml pharmaceutically compatible and can be injected through the Y-shaped injector intravenously combined with the following LS: doxorubicine (at a dose of 10-100 mg, in the form of intravenous bolus injection over 5 min), ceftazidime (at a dose of 0.25-2 g, in the form of intravenous bolus injection over 5 min), cyclophosphamide (dose range 0.1-1 g, in the form of intravenous bolus injection over 5 min), carboplatin (at a concentration of 0.18-9.9 mg / ml for 10-60 min), etoposide (at a concentration of 0.14 – 0.25 mg / ml for 30-60 min); dexamethasone: possible intravenously 20 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate slowly for 2-5 minutes. Grug can be injected through one dropper, and the solution concentration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate can range from 32 to 2500 pg / ml, ondansetron – from 8 to 100 ug / ml.

This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.

What should I do if I miss the dose?

If you miss the dose, try to take it as soon as you have the opportunity. If it is time for your next dose, take only one dose. You don’t have to double the dose.

Overdosage:

Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your health care professional instantly.

Storage:

Zofran should be stored at room temperature, in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Zofran out of the reach of children and away from animals.

Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor.The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possibleprecautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.