Side Effects of Anti-Nausea Drug Zofran
Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Drug & Medical Devices on February 24, 2015
Key Takeaways About Zofran
- Zofran treats nausea from chemotherapy, surgery, and anesthesia by blocking serotonin.
- The FDA approved generic ondansetron in 2006, increasing widespread use.
- Common side effects include headache, dizziness, constipation, and rash.
- Serious risks include heart rhythm issues, liver problems, and severe allergic reactions.
- Zofran may interact with medications for heart, mood, pain, and other conditions.
The drug Zofran® , also known as Ondansetron, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy treatment for cancer and after being administered anesthetic during surgery. The medication works by blocking serotonin, a natural substance in the human body, which can cause vomiting, It is manufactured by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and is also available as a generic. The medication comes both in pill form, as a liquid and as an injection.
When the FDA approved the drug for generic manufacture in 2006, Zofran was the 20th most frequently sold prescription medication in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website. In 2005, sales of the medication totalled $839,256,543.
Common Side Effects of Zofran
Zofran has side effects, including the following:
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
- Rash
- Blurred vision
- Muscle spasms
- Accelerated heartbeat
- Rash
- Weakness
Severe Side Effects of Zofran
The common side effects above are not usually life- threatening. However, Zofran has also been shown to have more serious consequences that include:
- Abnormal heart electrical signals
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Abnormally low blood pressure
- Acute liver failure
- Bronchospasm
- Decreased oxygen in the tissues or blood
- Extrapyramidal reaction
- Fast heartbeat
- Giant hives
- Life-threatening allergic reaction
- Prolonged q-t interval on ekg
- Shock
- Slow heartbeat
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Temporary blindness
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Trouble breathing
- Very rapid heartbeat – Torsades de pointes
- Vocal cord swelling
Drug Interactions With Zofran
In addition to causing sometimes-severe side effects, Zofran is known to have negative interactions with other prescription drugs and common supplements. These include medications for
- Breathing problems
- Cancer
- Chest pain
- Depression or other mental or mood problems
- Fluid retention
- High blood pressure
- Immune system suppression
- Infections
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain
- Sleep problems
- Stomach or bowel problems
- Swelling
- Tourette syndrome
In addition to being used for nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or surgery, Zofran is also used off-label to treat severe morning sickness in pregnant women. This use of the drug has been controversial, and we will discuss issues related to off-label use in future blog posts.
Zofran® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline, PLC.
Do not stop taking medications except on your doctor’s advice.
Jay M. Kelley III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury attorney in Ohio with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of securing millions in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s comprehensive litigation strategy across state, federal, and appellate courts, drawing on a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay focuses on high-stakes, complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is widely recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
call us 1 (800) 355-6446
click to call