Ondansetron Hydrochloride
PrescriptionBrand names: ondansetron hydrochloride
About This Medication
11 DESCRIPTION The active ingredient in ondansetron tablets is ondansetron hydrochloride as the dihydrate, the racemic form of ondansetron and a selective blocking agent of the serotonin 5-HT 3 receptor type. Chemically it is (±) 1, 2, 3, 9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-4-one, monohydrochloride, dihydrate. It has the following structural formula: The molecular formula is C 18 H 19 N 3 O•HCl•2H 2 O, representing a molecular weight of 365.86 g/mol. Ondansetron HCl dihydrate USP is a white to off-white powder that is soluble in methanol, sparingly soluble in purified water and in alcohol, and slightly soluble in isopropyl alcohol, in dichloromethane, very slightly soluble in acetone, in chloroform and in ethyl acetate. Each 4 mg ondansetron tablets USP for oral administration contains ondansetron HCl dihydrate USP equivalent to 4 mg of ondansetron. Each 8 mg ondansetron tablets USP for oral administration contains ondansetron HCl dihydrate USP equivalent to 8 mg of ondansetron. Each 16 mg ondansetron tablets USP for oral administration contains ondansetron HCl dihydrate USP equivalent to 16 mg of ondansetron. Each 24 mg ondansetron tablets USP for oral administration contains ondansetron HCl dihydrate USP equivalent to 24 mg of ondansetron. Each tablet also contains the inactive ingredients colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose 2910(5cP) (for the 4 mg and 16 mg tablets only) and hypromellose 2910 (6cP) (for the 8 mg and 24 mg tablets only), iron oxide red and iron oxide black (for the 24 mg tablet only), iron oxide yellow (for the 8 mg and 24 mg tablets only), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide. structure
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength |
|---|---|
| Ondansetron Hydrochloride | - |
Indications & Usage
How It Works
Dosage & Administration
Side Effects Overview
Warnings & Precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis and Bronchospasm : Discontinue ondansetron if suspected. Monitor and treat promptly per standard of care until signs and symptoms resolve ( 5.1 ) QT Interval Prolongation and Torsade de Pointes : Avoid ondansetron tablets in patients with congenital long QT syndrome; monitor with electrocardiograms (ECGs) if concomitant electrolyte abnormalities, cardiac failure or arrhythmias, or use of other QT prolonging drugs. ( 5.2 ) Serotonin Syndrome : Reported with 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists alone but particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs. If such symptoms occur, discontinue ondansetron and initiate supportive treatment. If concomitant use of ondansetron with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome. ( 5.3 ) Myocardial Ischemia: Monitor or advise patients for signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia after oral administration. (5.4) Masking of Progressive Ileus and/or Gastric Distension Following Abdominal Surgery or Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting : Monitor for decreased bowel activity, particularly in patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal obstruction. (5.5) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and bronchospasm, have been reported in patients who have exhibited hypersensitivity to other selective 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue use of ondansetron; treat promptly per standard of care and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve [see Contraindications (4)] . 5.2 QT Prolongation Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes including QT interval prolongation have been seen in patients receiving ondansetron. In addition, postmarketing cases of Torsade de Pointes have been reported in patients using ondansetron. Avoid ondansetron in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients with electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia), congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or patients taking other medicinal products that lead to QT prolongation [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )]. 5.3 Serotonin Syndrome The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists alone. Most reports have been associated with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, mirtazapine, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, and intravenous methylene blue). Some of the reported cases were fatal. Serotonin syndrome occurring with overdose of ondansetron alone has also been reported. The majority of reports of serotonin syndrome related to 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist use occurred in a post-anesthesia care unit or an infusion center. Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may include the following combination of signs and symptoms: mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, with or without gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant use of ondansetron and other serotonergic drugs. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue ondansetron and initiate supportive treatment. Patients should be informed of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if ondansetron is used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs [see Drug Interactions (7.1), Overdosage ( 10) ]. 5.4 Myocardial Ischemia Myocardial ischemia has been reported in patients treated with ondansetron. In some cases, predominantly during intravenous administration, the symptoms appeared immediately after administration but resolved with prompt treatment. Coronary artery spasm appears to be the most common underlying cause. Therefore, monitor or advise patients for signs or symptoms of myocardial ischemia after oral administration of ondansetron tablets [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . 5.5 Masking of Progressive Ileus and Gastric Distension The use of ondansetron in patients following abdominal surgery or in patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting may mask a progressive ileus and/or gastric distension. Monitor for decreased bowel activity, particularly in patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal obstruction. Ondansetron is not a drug that stimulates gastric or intestinal peristalsis. It should not be used instead of nasogastric suction.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Ondansetron is contraindicated in patients: known to have hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ondansetron or any of the components of the formulation [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] receiving concomitant apomorphine due to the risk of profound hypotension and loss of consciousness Patients known to have hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ondansetron or any components of the formulation. (4) Concomitant use of apomorphine (4)
Pharmacokinetics
Frequently Asked Questions
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ondansetron tablets are indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with: highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including cisplatin greater than or equal to 50 mg/m 2 . initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. radiotherapy in patients receiving either total body irradiation, single high-dose fraction to the abdomen, or daily fractions to the abdomen Ondansetron tablets are also indicated for the prevention of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. Ondansetron tablets are 5-HT 3 receptor …
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION See full prescribing information for the recommended dosage in adults and pediatrics (2) Patients with severe hepatic impairment: do not exceed a total daily dose of 8 mg ( 2.2 , 8.6 ) 2.1 Dosage The recommended dosage regimens for adult and pediatric patients are described in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. Corresponding doses of ondansetron tablets may be used interchangeably. Table 1: Adult Recommended Dosage Regimen for Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Indication Dosage …
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis and Bronchospasm : Discontinue ondansetron if suspected. Monitor and treat promptly per standard of care until signs and symptoms resolve ( 5.1 ) QT Interval Prolongation and Torsade de Pointes : Avoid ondansetron tablets in patients with congenital long QT syndrome; monitor with electrocardiograms (ECGs) if concomitant electrolyte abnormalities, cardiac failure or arrhythmias, or use of other QT prolonging drugs. ( 5.2 ) Serotonin Syndrome : Reported with 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists …
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Ondansetron is contraindicated in patients: known to have hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ondansetron or any of the components of the formulation [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] receiving concomitant apomorphine due to the risk of profound hypotension and loss of consciousness Patients known to have hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ondansetron or any components of the formulation. (4) Concomitant use of apomorphine (4)
Ondansetron Hydrochloride is a prescription medication. You will need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Similar Tablet Products
Browse all Tablet products →References & Data Sources
- • DailyMed — Ondansetron Hydrochloride drug label (National Library of Medicine)
- • openFDA — Ondansetron Hydrochloride label data (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
- • RxNorm — RXCUI 198052 (NLM Normalized Drug Names)
- • NDC Directory — Ondansetron Hydrochloride (FDA National Drug Code)
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Data sources: DailyMed (NLM), openFDA, MFDS