Zofran: Cure for Nausea & Vomiting

Each year, women across the country will suffer from life altering symptoms associated with cancer treatment known as chemotherapy. Of these women, many will seek out medical treatment alternatives to alleviate the symptoms of nausea and vomiting so often associated as a side effect of chemotherapy. In an effort to provide the appropriate remedy for the nausea and vomiting, the healthcare professional will commonly approach the chemotherapy treatment plan using a common FDA approved drug known as Zofran. Understanding the use, dosing and side effects of Zofran will provide female patients, suffering from chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, with a better understanding in the overall cancer treatment plan.

Zofran, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is a common FDA approved drug used to alleviate chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Zofran lends its success in the improvement of nausea and vomiting by inhibiting the chemical reaction in the body which induces nausea and vomiting. In fact, Zofran, in the use of nausea and vomiting, has become so successful that many surgeons now use this FDA approved drug to alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with surgical anesthesia.

Dosing of Zofran, in the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting will vary depending on degree to which the nausea and vomiting symptoms are exhibited by the patient. Available as tablet which dissolves in the mouth, Zofran can be administered in a variety of doses and does not require a full or empty stomach.

As with any FDA approved treatment, Zofran, in the treatment of nausea and vomiting, may pose side effects and health risks to women undergoing chemotherapy. While most female cancer patients report nausea and vomiting are reduced, many women will report a change in bowel movement, some lethargy, slight headache and associated dizziness. As a Category B, FDA approved drug, Zofran has been shown to produce no adverse reaction in women who are undergoing fertility treatments, women who are pregnant, nor health risk to a fetus. However, before using Zofran, the healthcare professional should first determine the pregnancy status of the cancer patient so as to ensure close monitoring of any other adverse reactions.

As with any form of treatment during chemotherapy, women, especially those suffering from chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, should discuss the options and side effects of using Zofran, in an effort to control the nausea and vomiting which so often results in impaired activities of daily living.