Ondansetron Injection 4 mg/2 mL and 8 mg/4 mL
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about Onsetron Injection. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Onsetron Injection against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
This medicine is likely to be used while you are at the clinic or in hospital. If possible, please read this leaflet carefully before this medicine is given to you. In some cases this leaflet may be given to you after the medicine has been used.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What Onsetron Injection is used for
Onsetron Injection contains a medicine called ondansetron. This belongs to a group of medicines called antiemetics/antinauseants.
Onsetron Injection is used to prevent the nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting that may occur after surgery or after therapy with anticancer medicines (chemotherapy) or radiation.
Onsetron Injection may be used for the management of other conditions that are not mentioned above. Your doctor will be able to tell you about the specific condition for which you have been prescribed Onsetron Injection.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Before you are given Onsetron Injection
When you must not be given it
Do not use Onsetron Injection if:
- you have an allergy to ondansetron or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- you are breastfeeding
- you are taking apomorphine (used to treat Parkinson’s disease)
If you are not sure whether any of these apply to you, check with your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if:
- you have any allergies to:
– any other medicine
– any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes - you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
- you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
- you have liver problems
- you have an abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
- you have any blood problems, including abnormal salt levels in your blood
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and ondansetron may interfere with each other.
These include:
- pain killers such as tramadol
- antibacterials such as rifampicin
- medicines that are known to lead to an abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
Your doctor will advise you about any dosage adjustments needed and continuing to take other medicines while you are receiving Onsetron Injection.
How Onsetron Injection is given
Onsetron Injection is given by injection into the muscle or by slow injection into a vein. It must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose and how long you will receive Onsetron Injection.
The clinical safety of Ondansetron in children under 2 years has not been established.
While you are being given Onsetron Injection
If you are given too much (overdose)
This rarely happens as Onsetron Injection is administered under the care of a highly trained doctor.
However, if you are given too much ondansetron, you may experience some of the effects listed under “Side effects” below.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose.
Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given Onsetron Injection or if your nausea and vomiting does not go away.
Like other medicines, Onsetron Injection can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions that you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following:
- headache
- a sensation of warmth or flushing
- mild stomach cramps
- constipation or diarrhoea
- dry mouth
- pain, redness or burning at place of injection
- hiccups
These are all common side effects.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
- ‘wheezy’ symptoms
- chest pain or tightness of the chest
- changes in the way your heart beats, e.g., if you notice it beating faster or slower than normal, or if it beats irregularly or if it ‘throbs’.
- low blood pressure
- fits or convulsions
- swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- skin rash, skin lumps or hives
- blurred vision
- dizziness
These are serious side effects, some of which include symptoms of an allergic reaction. You may need urgent
medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Storage
Stored below 25 °C. Protect from Light.
Product description
What Onsetron Injection looks like
Onsetron Injection is a clear, colourless to almost colourless solution in a clear or amber glass ampoule.
Pack size: Five or Ten Ampoules
Ondansetron Injection can be identified by an Australian Registration Number, which is found on the packaging:
AUST R 205593 – Ondansetron Injection 4 mg /2 mL (sterile) Glass Ampoule (5’s, 10’s).
AUST R 205589 – Ondansetron Injection 8 mg /4 mL (sterile) Glass Ampoule (5’s, 10’s).
Ingredients
Onsetron Injection contains ondansetron 2 mg/mL, citric acid monohydrate, sodium citrate and sodium chloride in water for injections. Hydrochloric acid, concentrated and sodium hydroxide is added as necessary to adjust the pH. It does not contain a preservative.
Name and Address of the Sponsor
Accord Healthcare Pty Ltd.
Level 1, 1121 High Street
Armadale, VIC 3143 Australia
Date of preparation
This leaflet was prepared in February 2016.
Published by MIMS August 2017