Ondansetron 4mg

 Ondansetron 4mg is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that are caused by cancer chemotherapy. It mainly works by blocking the action of serotonin in the brain which may cause nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy or after surgery. The medication works within half an hour to two hours as it dissolves rapidly into the bloodstream and starts showing its effects. You should only take this injection when it is prescribed by your doctor and it should never be self-administered as only a doctor or healthcare professional is allowed to give this drug to a patient. This drug is usually started 30 minutes before your chemotherapy treatment begins. You should never overdose on this medication in order to avoid any severe side effects.

Before your doctor give Ondansetron 4mg you should inform him if you are allergic to any of its ingredients so that an alternative of the drug could be given to you. Depending on the type of chemotherapy treatment you are receiving, a second and third dose may be given 4 and 8 hours after your first dose. You may also be switched to oral medication. Some patients experience some side effects like Constipation, Headache, Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck, and trunk), and Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness). These symptoms are not to be worried about as they don’t need any specific medication for their treatment and get resolved on their own. But if the symptoms don’t get resolved or get worsen then consultation with your doctor is mandatory.

Uses Of Ondansetron 4mg

• Prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.

Precautions

• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Ondansetron 4mg then you should inform your doctor about it in order to avoid any severe side effects.
• If you have a medical history of a heart problem then you should inform your doctor about it.
• The intake of  Ondansetron 4mg causes dizziness and makes you drowsy, alcohol consumption can make you more drowsy. So you should not handle any machinery unless you are fully alert.
• If you are suffering from any liver disease you should inform your doctor about it in order to avoid any harmful side effects.
• If you have a medical history of any intestinal problem such as recent abdominal surgery then you should inform your doctor about it to avoid any harmful side effects.
• If you are pregnant then you should consult your doctor to know whether the benefits of this drug outweigh the risks and cause no harm to the unborn baby.
• If you are breastfeeding then you should consult your doctor to know whether the benefits of this drug outweigh the risks and cause no harm to the newborn baby.
• Ondansetron 4mg intake causes an increased heart rate so it should be given with caution to older people.

   Common Side-Effects Of Ondansetron 4mg

• Headache
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Feeling Cold Or Chills
• Pain, Burning, Numbness, Or Tingling In The Hand Or Feet
• Fever
• Injection Site Pain, Redness, Swelling, Warmth, Or Burning
• Tiredness
• Lightheadedness
• Itching

Directions Of Use 

• Ondansetron 4mg comes as a solution to be injected intravenously (into a vein) or intramuscularly (into a muscle) by a healthcare provider in a hospital. It should never be self-administered.

Storage

• Ondansetron 4mg should be stored at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

FAQs

Q. What are the side effects of Ondansetron 4mg?

Ans. The most common side effects of Ondansetron 4mg are constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, and headache. However, these are usually not bothersome and resolve on their own after some time. Consult your doctor if these persist or worry you.

Q. When should you take Ondansetron 4mg?

Ans. Ondansetron 4mg should be taken with a full glass of water, with or without food. It should be used exactly as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Usually, the first dose of Ondansetron 4mg is taken before the start of your surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment.

Q. Is Ondansetron 4mg a steroid?

Ans. No, Ondansetron 4mg is an antiemetic and not a steroid. Ondansetron is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. It is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting which is commonly observed after surgery or due to cancer chemotherapy.

Q. Does Ondansetron 4mg work for seasickness?

Ans. No, Ondansetron 4mg does not work for seasickness. This is because Ondansetron 4mg has very little effect on nausea associated with motion sickness.