Zofran Side Effects

Generic Name: ondansetron

Note: This document contains side effect information about ondansetron. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Zofran.

For the Consumer

Applies to ondansetron: film, solution, tablet, tablet disintegrating

Other dosage forms:

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, ondansetron (the active ingredient contained in Zofran) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ondansetron:

More common

Confusion

dizziness

fast heartbeat

fever

headache

shortness of breath

weakness

Less common

Decrease in the frequency of urination

decrease in the urine volume

difficulty with passing urine (dribbling)

painful urination

Rare

Arm, back, or jaw pain

chest pain or discomfort

chest tightness or heaviness

convulsions

cough

decreased urine

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dry mouth

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

increased thirst

loss of appetite

loss of bladder control

loss of consciousness

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

nausea or vomiting

noisy breathing

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

skin rash, hives, or itching

sweating

tightness in the chest

total body jerking

unusual tiredness or weakness

wheezing

Incidence not known

Blurred vision

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fixed position of the eye

heart stops

hoarseness

inability to move the eyes

increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

no breathing

no pulse or blood pressure

noisy breathing

pounding heartbeat

slow or irregular breathing

sticking out of the tongue

sweating

trouble with speaking

unconscious

uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs

unusual facial expressions

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of ondansetron may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Anxiety

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

dry mouth

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hyperventilation

irritability

restlessness

shaking

trouble sleeping

Rare

Difficulty with speaking

drooling

loss of balance control

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

shuffling walk

stiffness of the limbs

twisting movements of the body

uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

Incidence not known

Feeling of warmth

hiccups

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

redness of the skin

welts

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to ondansetron: injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral disintegrating strip, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating

General

The most frequently reported side effects are headache, constipation, and diarrhea.[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 27%), drowsiness/sedation (up to 23%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, paresthesia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Seizures, movement disorders/extrapyramidal reactions (oculogyric crisis/dystonic reactions, dyskinesia)

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Grand mal seizures[Ref]

Dizziness occurred during rapid IV administration.

Headache occurred more often in the oral dissolving tablet formulation when taken with water.[Ref]

Other

Wound problems occurred at the surgical site in patients given this drug for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Wound problem (up to 28%), malaise/fatigue (up to 13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Shivers, pyrexia/fever, cold sensation

Frequency not reported: Pain, ear disorder[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 16%), constipation (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Xerostomia, nausea, vomiting, localized anal/rectal burning sensation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Throat disorder

Frequency not reported: Gastric symptoms, abdominal pain, flatulence[Ref]

Localized anal/rectal burning occurred after insertion of the suppository formulation.[Ref]

Ocular

Oculogyric crisis occurred alone and in combination with other dystonic reactions.

Transient visual disturbances, blurred vision, and transient blindness occurred predominantly during rapid IV administration. Many of the cases of blindness resolved from within a few minutes to approximately 28 hours. Most patients were receiving concomitant chemotherapy with cisplatin.[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Eye disorder (up to 19%)

Common (1% to 10%): Visual disturbance/transient visual disturbances (e.g., blurred vision)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Oculogyric crisis

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Transient blindness

Frequency not reported: Swollen periocular area[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiopulmonary arrest and shock occurred during allergic reactions in patients given the IV formulation.[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Sensation of warmth/flushing, bradycardia, hypotension, arrhythmias

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain with/without ST segment depression

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Transient ECG changes including QT interval prolongation (Torsade de Pointes), angina/chest pain, vascular occlusive events, tachycardia

Frequency not reported: Hemorrhage

Postmarketing reports: Cardiopulmonary arrest, shock[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Hypoxia, lower respiratory tract disease, expectoration, cough

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hiccups

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bronchospasm/asthma

Postmarketing reports: Shortness of breath, laryngeal edema, stridor, laryngospasm[Ref]

Laryngospasm occurred during allergic reactions in patients given the IV formulation.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety/agitation, disturbance in behavior/conduct, sleep disturbance[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Gynecological disorder, urinary retention, urinary tract infection/dysuria[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Toxic skin eruption, toxic epidermal necrolysis[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Asymptomatic increases in AST/ALT

Postmarketing reports: Liver failure and death[Ref]

Transient, asymptomatic increases in AST/ALT 2 times the upper limit of normal commonly occurred in patients receiving chemotherapy with cisplatin, and did not appear to be related to dose/duration of treatment.

Liver failure and death have been reported in patients with cancer receiving potentially hepatotoxic/cytotoxic chemotherapy and antibiotics; however, the etiology of liver failure is unknown.[Ref]

Local

Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Immediate hypersensitivity reactions (sometimes severe), anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reactions

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema[Ref]

Metabolic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypokalemia

Frequency not reported: Poor oral intake[Ref]

References 1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0 2. "Product Information. Zofran (ondansetron)." Cerenex Pharmaceuticals, Research Triangle Pk, NC. 3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0 4. "Product Information. Zuplenz (ondansetron)." Strativa Pharmaceuticals, a Division of Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Woodcliff Lake, NJ.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Related questions

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