Are you or someone you know about to start chemotherapy or radiation therapy? Or has a doctor prescribed a medication for nausea and vomiting after surgery? Maybe that medication is not a pill that you swallow, but a small film that you place on your tongue and dissolve. Today, we are going to talk about one such special medication, the ondansetron dissolvable film.
Simply put, what is Ondansetron?
Ondansetron is a special medicine that is given to stop vomiting and nausea. In medicine, we call these ``antiemetics''. This medicine blocks the action of certain chemicals in our body that cause vomiting, especially after cancer treatment, radiation therapy or surgery. Therefore, the nausea and the feeling of wanting to vomit are controlled. It comes in the form of tablets, injections, and also as a soluble film that can be placed on the tongue and dissolved. Today we are talking about this soluble film.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important for your doctor to know your complete health history before prescribing this medication. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor .
- If you have heart disease .
- If you have a history of irregular heartbeat.
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have been told that your blood levels of potassium or magnesium are low .
- If you have an allergy to medicines such as ondansetron, granisetron, or any other medicine, food, or preservative.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a nursing mother .
Giving this information to your doctor will greatly help him provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment.
How exactly do you use this film?
This is not like swallowing a regular pill, so remember these steps carefully.
1. Dry your hands thoroughly: Before touching the film, dry your hands thoroughly to remove any water. If you touch it with wet hands, the film may melt on your hands.
2. Carefully tear the packet: The medicine comes in a small packet (pouch). It has a tear notch. Carefully fold the packet from that point, tear along the edge, and remove the film. Do not cut with scissors or tear the film.
3. Hold it on your tongue: Hold the film on your tongue immediately after taking it out of the packet.
4. Let it dissolve: This film will dissolve with your saliva in your mouth within a few seconds. Do not try to chew it or swallow it whole.
5. Swallow after dissolving: Once the film has completely dissolved, swallow as normal. You can also drink some water if necessary.
6. For multiple doses: If your doctor has told you to take more than one film at a time, take one film at a time . Place the first film on your tongue, let it dissolve, and then place the next film on your tongue.
7. Wash your hands: Wash your hands after taking the medicine.
What if you give it to children?
This medicine may require special care when given to children. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about it if you are giving this to a child.
What if I overdose or miss a dose?
If you take too much: If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Some medications can cause dangerous side effects when taken with ondansetron. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter, herbal remedies, vitamins).
| Medicines that should never be taken with Ondansetron | |
|---|---|
| Apomorphine | Pimozide |
| Cisapride | Thioridazine |
| Dronedarone | Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. fluconazole, ketoconazole) |
| Other medications that may interact with Ondansetron (tell your doctor ) | |
| Carbamazepine, Phenytoin (medicines for epilepsy) | Tramadol, Fentanyl (painkillers) |
| Some medications for depression or anxiety | Rifampicin (a medicine for tuberculosis) |
| MAOIs (e.g. Carbex, Marplan) | Other medications that affect the heart rate (QT interval prolonging drugs) |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about everything you take.
Be aware of these side effects when taking medication.
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people, some of which require immediate attention.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Anxiety, confusion, excessive sweating, fever, chills, muscle stiffness or twitching, vomiting, diarrhea. This is a dangerous condition. |
| Intestinal obstruction | Stomach pain, inability to defecate or pass air, loss of appetite, vomiting. |
| Chest pain (Angina) | Feeling pain or tightness in the chest, neck, back, or arms. |
| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Headache | You may experience a headache in the first few days after starting the medication. |
| Constipation | Some people may experience constipation. |
| Diarrhea | Others may experience diarrhea. |
| Body discomfort/fatigue | You may feel general fatigue or discomfort. |
How do you keep medicine safe?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the film in the foil packet until ready to use. Use immediately after removing it from the packet.
- Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Ondansetron soluble film is a medicine that dissolves on the tongue for vomiting and nausea. Do not chew or swallow it.
- Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Dry your hands before using the film. Once you take it out of the packet, hold it on your tongue and let it melt.
- If you experience any symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions, or confusion, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
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