Ondansetron HCl (Zofran®)

(Optional medication – not required in every BioTel agency)

Indications: Prevention of nausea and vomiting

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity
• Do not administer to children under the age of two years

Precautions:

• Is not effective in every patient
• Patients who fail to respond to a single IV/IO dose often do not respond to additional doses

Side Effects:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Drowsiness/Sedation
• Burning sensation at the site of injection

Adult Dose:

Standing order
Nausea and/or vomiting:

• 4 mg IV or IO (over 1 minute) or IN or IM (one dose only); OR
• Zofran ODT® 4 mg sublingual (SL) (one dose only);
• Do not exceed 4 mg and do not administer repeat doses.

Pediatric Dose:

Standing order:
Nausea and/or Vomiting (in conjunction with fluid resuscitation, as indicated):

• 0.1 mg/kg IV or IO (over 1 minute) or IN (not IM);
  • Do not exceed 4 mg total, cumulative dose; OR
  • Ondansetron tablet (Zofran ODT®) sublingual (SL):
  • 2 years to 5 years of age (and less than 20 kg): 2 mg;
  • At least 5 years of age (and at least 20 kg): 4 mg;
  • Do NOT administer repeat doses;
  • Do NOT administer to children less than 2 years of age.

Route:

• Slow IV or IO push (over 1 minute)
• Intranasal (IN) rapid push
• Intramuscular (IM): ADULT ONLY
• Sublingual (SL), if available

Drug Action: Selectively blocks serotonin receptors (those that produce nausea/vomiting)

Class: Antiemetic

Onset: Approximately 30 minutes

Duration: Approximately 9 hours