INTRODUCTION

ONDANBIC 4 contains Ondansetron which belongs to a group of medicines called anti-emetics, which help to stop feeling or being sick. It is indicated to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic therapy and radiotherapy and post-operative nausea and vomiting. This medicine works by blocking the action of serotonin levels in the brain which causes nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy or any other surgery.

Cytotoxic chemotherapy triggers the release of serotonin from the enterochromaffin cells of the small intestine. The released serotonins stimulate the vagal afferents through the 5-HT3 receptors and initiate the vomiting reflex. Ondansetron is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist which blocks serotonin, both peripherally on vagal nerve terminals and centrally in the chemoreceptor trigger zone. It works by blocking serotonin in the brain which causes nausea and vomiting during anti-cancer treatment (chemotherapy) or after surgery.

Always take ONDANBIC 4 exactly as directed by your doctor. Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver, kidney or heart problems, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Your doctor will decide the right dose depends on your child’s age and body weight. The common side effects are headache, constipation and dizziness.

USES OF ONDANBIC 4

• Cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
• Postoperative nausea and/or vomiting

HOW ONDANBIC 4 WORKS

ONDANBIC 4 is a selective 5-HT3-receptor antagonist which blocks serotonin, both peripherally on vagal nerve terminals and centrally in the chemoreceptor trigger zone. It works by blocking serotonin in the brain which causes nausea and vomiting during anti-cancer treatment (chemotherapy) or after surgery.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always take ONDANBIC 4 exactly as your doctor has told you. Swallow as a whole, do not crush or chew.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ONDANBIC 4

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Headache:

Rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Constipation:

Add fruits, vegetables whole grains and other high-fiber foods to your normal diet.

Dizziness:

Get up and move around to feel awake, take small naps to edge off the sleepiness. Give your eyes a break to avoid fatigue and eat a healthy food to boost energy.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription or the following,

• apomorphine (used to treat Parkinson’s Disease)
• phenytoin, carbamazepine (used to treat epilepsy)
• rifampicin, erythromycin (an antibiotic)
• tramadol (used to treat pain)
• medicines used to treat heart problems such as abnormal heart beats (anti-arrhythmics) and high blood pressure (betablockers)
• anthracyclines
• ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infection)

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.

FAQs ABOUT ONDANBIC 4

How quickly does ONDANBIC 4 work?

It starts working within half an hour to 2 hours, which dissolves rapidly into the bloodstream and starts showing its effect.

Can ONDANBIC 4 be given in children?

Your doctor will give the right dose depends on your child’s age and body weight.

Can use ONDANBIC 4 during pregnancy?

It is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor for advice.

REFERENCES

1. KD Tripathi MD. 5-HT, its antagonists and drug therapy of migraine. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology 7th ed. New Delhi, May 2013. Page – 171.

2. Sharkey KA, Wallace JL. Treatment of Disorders of Bowel Motility and Water Flux; Anti-Emetics; Agents Used in Biliary and Pancreatic Disease. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. Page - 1341-1342.

3. Katzung BG. Histamine, Serotonin, & the Ergot Alkaloids. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. Page – 285.

4. Parker, Samantha E. Van Bennekom, Carla, Anderka, Marlene, Mitchell, Allen A. Ondansetron for Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and the Risk of Specific Birth Defects. Aug 2018, vol-132; [Accessed Jan 5, 2021] https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2018/08000/Ondansetron_for_Treatment_of_Nausea_and_Vomiting.16.aspx

6. Milpharm Limited, APL Swift Services (Malta) Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised Feb, 2020] [Accessed Jan 5, 2021] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5216.pdf

7. Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised Feb, 2020] [Accessed Jan 5, 2021] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.195.pdf 

8. GlaxoSmithKline. Sep, 2011. U.S. Food & Drug Administration; [Accessed Jan 5, 2021] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020103s030,020605s014,020781s014lbl.pdf