Ondansetron Hydrochloride
Where is Ondansetron Hydrochloride used?
Ondansetron Hydrochloride is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that is associated with certain types of cancer chemotherapy and radiation. This is also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting that happens after surgery. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this medication.
How does Ondansetron Hydrochloride work?
Ondansetron Hydrochloride is in the class of medicines called serotonin receptor-3 antagonists. The effect of this medicine in the management of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic radiation and chemotherapy is due to 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. These are on neurons located both in the peripheral and central nervous system. This medicine blocks one of the body’s natural substances called serotonin that causes nausea and vomiting.
How is Ondansetron Hydrochloride taken?
The dose is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. The dosage for children may also be based on weight and age. You should not take more medication or take it more often than prescribed.
- From chemotherapy, take this within 30 minutes before treatment begins.
- From radiation treatment, take this in 1 to 2 hours before the start of your treatment.
- After surgery, take this 1 hour before the start of surgery.
You may take each dose of this medication either with or without a meal. However, your doctor may tell you not to eat before chemotherapy or radiation. Take any other doses as directed by your doctor. If you missed a dose, call your doctor right away. Never double a dose to make up for the missed dose. If your nausea and vomiting get worse while taking this medication, contact your healthcare team immediately.
What are the precautions in using Ondansetron Hydrochloride?
- Before you begin with this medication, make sure you tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have.
- If you have any other medications including prescriptions, non-prescription, vitamins, herbal products, or food supplements, tell to your doctor.
- Inform as well your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication. You need to consult your doctor before taking a dose of this drug.
- Seniors may be at an increased risk of developing irregular heartbeat with Ondansetron Hydrochloride. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you may have.
- Let your doctor know at once if you are allergic to this drug. This drug contains magnesium, lactose, titanium dioxide, and triacetin as an inactive ingredient. The inactive ingredients may cause an allergic reaction. You must tell your doctor if you have any allergies.
- You should not take Ondansetron Hydrochloride along with Thioridazine, Apomorphine, Pimozide, and Ziprasidone. An interaction between two medicines does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Talk with your doctor about how any medicine interactions are being managed or should be managed.
- Most medicines can cause unwanted side effects even though not everyone experiences them along with their useful effects. Some side of these side effects includes constipation, headache, diarrhea, or tired feeling.
