Zofran

What you should know before using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children with cancer 6 months of age or older and after surgery in children 1 month to 12 years of age. In effective doses, the medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of cancer patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Apomorphine
• Mesoridazine
• Pimozide
• Thioridazine

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Abdominal surgery—Use of ondansetron may cover up stomach problems

• Allergy to selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (alosetron [e.g., Lotronex], dolasetron [e.g., Anzemet], granisetron [e.g., Kytril], palonosetron [e.g., Aloxi])— If you are allergic to one of these, you may be allergic to ondansetron because they are in the same group of medicines.

• Liver disease—Patients with liver disease may have an increased chance of side effects

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The oral disintegrating tablets may contain aspartame, which can make your condition worse.