Master Ondansetron with Picmonic for Medicine

Ondansetron is very effective and is frequently used for controlling post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients.

This medication is the drug of choice for preventing and treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. This drug is usually given 30 minutes before commencing a chemotherapy session.

This drug works by working as a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. The antiemetic activity of the drug is brought about through the inhibition of 5-HT3 receptors present both centrally (medullary chemoreceptor zone) and peripherally (GI tract). This inhibition in turn inhibits the visceral afferent stimulation of the vomiting center, as well as through direct inhibition of serotonin activity within the area postrema and the chemoreceptor trigger zone.

This drug has antagonist activity, both centrally and at visceral receptors. A large amount of ondansetron's activity, however, comes from its central inhibition of the medullary chemoreceptor zone.

Though ondansetron is well tolerated, one of the most common complaints is headache.

Ondansetron is well tolerated, but a common complaint with this drug is constipation.

Caution should be taken when prescribing ondansetron for those with congenital arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, bradycardia or patients taking QT interval prolonging medications. This is because ondansetron (Zofran) has been shown to prolong the QT interval, which could predispose patients to develop an abnormal and potentially fatal heart rhythm, known as Torsades de Pointes.