| Name | Nausea & Vomiting Treatment - Zofran (Ondansetron) |
| Uses | Management of nausea and vomiting associated with gastrointestinal distress, chemotherapy, postoperative recovery, or pregnancy-related nausea (under provider discretion). |
| Route Of Administration | Oral (tablet, dissolvable tablet, oral solution), Intravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM). |
| Frequency Of Use | As needed, with a typical maximum of 2-3 doses per day. |
| Concentration(s) | Oral: 4 mg, 8 mg tablets; IV: 2 mg/mL; IM: 4 mg/mL. |
| Maximum Dosage (Day, Wk) | Oral: 8 mg every 8 hours as needed; IV: 4-8 mg per dose, max 16 mg/day; IM: 4 mg as needed. |
| Contraindications | Congenital long QT syndrome, hypersensitivity to ondansetron, severe hepatic impairment, concurrent use of apomorphine. |
| Possible Side Effects | Common: headache, dizziness, constipation. Rare: QT prolongation, serotonin syndrome, allergic reaction. |
| Compatibility With Other Treatments/Drugs | Use caution with QT-prolonging medications (e.g., certain antipsychotics, antiarrhythmics). Avoid excessive use with serotonergic agents (risk of serotonin syndrome). |
| Allergies | Assess for hypersensitivity to ondansetron or related medications. |
| Administration Time | Oral: taken 30 minutes before nausea-inducing event (e.g., chemotherapy, surgery); IV/IM: administered as needed in a clinical setting. |
| Dosing/Settings | Oral: 4-8 mg every 8 hours as needed; IV/IM: 4-8 mg per dose based on severity. |
| Test Spot Requirement | Not required for ondansetron. |
| Pre-Treatment Guidelines | Assess underlying cause of nausea, review medication interactions, and check cardiac history for QT prolongation risk. |
| Provider Clearance Guidelines | NP, PA, MD, or DO must approve; assess patient history of cardiac arrhythmias, liver function, and concurrent medications. |
| Pre-Treatment Screening Workflow | 1. Confirm nausea/vomiting etiology. 2. Assess for contraindications. 3. Review history of QT prolongation or serotonin syndrome. |
| What To Do If Adverse Reaction Occurs | For mild side effects: monitor and provide supportive care. For severe reactions (QT prolongation, anaphylaxis, serotonin syndrome): discontinue, provide emergency treatment. |
| Clinic Implementation Guidelines | Ensure ondansetron availability in multiple formulations; educate patients on dosing and side effects. |
| Photographic Documentation Protocol | Not required for nausea treatment. |
| Post-Treatment Care | Monitor patient response, adjust dosing if needed, and reassess underlying causes if symptoms persist. |
| Additional Documentation Requirements | Signed informed consent (if required for IV use), prescription logs, adverse reaction documentation if applicable. |