ADMINISTRATION ROUTES:
PO, IV, IM
ALTERNATIVE NAMES:
Zofran
ICU INDICATIONS:
- Nausea and vomiting
PRESENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION:
IV:
Ondansetron 4 mg/2 mL and 8 mg/4 mL
Doses of up to 8 mg can be administered undiluted by slow IV injection over 2 to 5 minutes
Doses of 8 mg to 32 mg, which are rarely if every administered in ICU, should be diluted in 50 - 100 mL of compatible IV fluid and infused over 15 minutes or more.
Compatible with the following IV fluids: 0.9% saline, 5% dextrose, Glucose and sodium chloride, Hartmann's, 10% mannitol
Store at room temperature. Protect from light
IM:
Inject undiluted into a large muscle (not routinely used in ICU)
PO:
Tablets:
Zofran 4mg and 8 mg tablets (yellow)
Dispersible tablets:
Zofran zydis 4mg and 8mg tablets (white)
DOSAGE:
IV:
4 - 8 mg QID
PO:
4 - 8 mg QID
DOSAGE IN RENAL FAILURE AND RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY:
Dose as in normal renal function
DOSAGE IN PAEDIATRICS:
0.2 mg/kg BD - QID
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:
Ondansetron is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. While ondansetron's mechanism of action has not been fully characterised, it is not a dopamine-receptor antagonist. Serotonin receptors of the 5-HT3 type are present both peripherally on vagal nerve terminals and centrally in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the area postrema. It is not certain whether ondansetron's antiemetic action in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is mediated centrally, peripherally, or in both sites.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Hypersensitivity to ondansetron
WARNINGS:
Nil
PRECAUTIONS:
General:
Nil
Laboratory Tests:
No tests additional to routine ICU tests are indicated
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions:
None reported
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS IN ICU:
None of note
ADVERSE REACTIONS:
Body as a Whole:
Rash, anaphylaxis
Cardiovascular:
Hypotension, tachycardia, flushing
Gastrointestinal:
Constipation, elevated transaminases
Neurological:
Headache