Health Library

Ondansetron (By injection)

Ondansetron (on-DAN-se-tron)

Prevents nausea and vomiting.

Brand Name(s):

Amerinet Choice Ondansetron, Ondansetron Novaplus, PremierPro Rx Ondansetron

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• When this medicine is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines (chemotherapy), it is usually given 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy for at least 15 minutes. Additional doses may be given 4 hours and 8 hours after the first dose.
• When this medicine is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, it is usually given just before anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep before surgery) or right after surgery if nausea and vomiting begin.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with apomorphine.
• Some medicines can affect how ondansetron works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Carbamazepine, fentanyl, methylene blue injection, phenytoin, rifampin, tramadol
  • MAO inhibitor
  • Medicine used to treat depression (including lithium, mirtazapine, SNRIs, SSRIs)

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (including prolonged QT interval, torsade de pointes), electrolyte imbalance, or stomach or bowel problems (including a recent stomach surgery).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Heart rhythm problems, including QT prolongation
  • Serotonin syndrome (when used with certain other medicines)
  • Heart problems, including myocardial ischemia (low blood supply to the heart)
  • Stomach or bowel problems
• Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after you leave the hospital or cancer treatment center.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fever, muscle spasms, twitching, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Chest pain, trouble breathing, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck, sweating
• Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain or swelling
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Drowsiness, tiredness
• Headache
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, stinging, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 9/6/2024