What is ondansetron?
Ondansetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting.
Ondansetron injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery or medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy).
Ondansetron injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ondansetron?
You should not use ondansetron if you are allergic to it, or if you are also using apomorphine (Apokyn).
Ondansetron can cause serious heart rhythm problems. You should not use this medication if you have a history of Long QT syndrome. Tell your doctor if anyone in your family has ever had this condition.
Before receiving ondansetron injection, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure, or low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. There are many other medicines that can increase your risk of heart rhythm problems if you use them together with ondansetron.
Call your doctor at once if you have fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats, or if you feel like you might pass out.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ondansetron?
You should not use ondansetron if you are allergic to it, or if you are also using apomorphine (Apokyn).
Ondansetron can cause serious heart rhythm problems. You should not use this medication if you have a history of Long QT syndrome. Tell your doctor if anyone in your family has ever had this condition.
To make sure you can safely receive ondansetron injection, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver disease;
a serious heart condition or heart rhythm disorder;
slow or fast heartbeats, or heart block;
congestive heart failure;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
if you are allergic to medicines similar to ondansetron, such dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or palonosetron (Aloxi).
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether ondansetron passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.