Chemotherapy is one of the common types of treatments of cancers. This type used anti-cancer meds as per a well-regimented dosage plan. These meds are given either to prolong your life or for a curative purpose. This brand of medicine is known as medical-oncology. Abdominal problems are often encountered as side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Such adverse outcomes include vomiting, nausea, etc. Drugs are available to treat side effects of chemotherapy meds. Ondansetron is one among them. It helps to know about ondansetron 4 mg dosage for adults in detail.
Chemotherapy is one of the modalities to treat cancers; here, treatment is offered drugs to deter division of cancer cells. However, no two cells respond in a similar manner to chemotherapeutic medications. Some of the adverse outcomes include damages inflicted onto normal or healthier cells. As a result, your body tends to produce lesser number of blood cells. Owing to this, your immune system works at a compromised level.
Efficacy of chemotherapeutic meds varies form of cancer to another; the stage of cancer also plays a critical role. For cancers such as leukemia, drugs take a curative approach. However, such drugs are rendered ineffective for treating tumors in the brain. Also, in a few forms of skin-cancers – especially, of the non-melanoma genre – chemotherapeutic drugs are considered as needless.
What is ondansetron?
Ondansetron is a medication administered for preventing chemotherapy-triggered vomiting, nausea and other such abdominal discomforts. It is a selective-serotonin-antagonist known for its lower levels of affinity towards receptors of dopamine. This med was under development in mid-part of 1980s. It acquired patents in US in late-1980s. It was cleared by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by early-1990s.
Ondansetron
Good news about ondansetron is its availability as a generic drug. It is currently sold under several brand-names in many parts of the world. This med needs to be used under the supervision of a qualified oncologist; an overdosed condition can cause several undesired outcomes. As antidotes to this antiemetic med is not available, you are advised to use it strictly as per your dosage plan.
Ondansetron 4 mg dosage for adults
Dosages are offered to prevent vomiting and nausea caused by anti-cancer drugs. Typical dose for younger patients-aged below 13-years – depends on weight and age. Dosage of 8 mg – 2 times per day – is offered half-hour prior to each chemotherapy sitting. Next dosage is administered 6 to 7 hours after first dose. Intravenous dosage is – of 8 mg and above – must be injected slowly over a time-span of 20 minutes. Single dosage of >16 mg is not recommended.
The treating physician will resort to a least-effective dosage strength in most cases. Those who have conditions like hypokalemia i.e., lower level of potassium in blood or hypomagnesemia i.e., inadequate levels of magnesium, need to monitor electrolytes regularly. This drug may extend your QT-cycle due to disturbances in electrolytes. Prior spells of allergies or hypersensitivity must be made known to caregivers. If you have breathing troubles like gasping or panting, your doctor needs to know of such conditions.
As dizziness is an undesired outcome, you are advised not to work on machines and keep away from driving. Women who are pregnant, those planning to get pregnant or nursing an infant need to update physicians of such conditions. It is recommended to seek assistance on a top priority mode upon sensing serotonin-toxicity. Excessive serotonin may cause episodes of syncope, alterations in heartbeat rate and can cause light-headedness.
Ondansetron is chiefly administered to avoid abdominal conditions like vomiting and or nausea linked to chemotherapy-sittings. In some cases, ondansetron is used for preventing nausea post-surgeries. Dosages of 4 mg to 16 mg are administered through oral-route 60 minutes prior to starting anaesthetic procedures. It is a good practice to consult a certified oncologist to know more about ondansetron 4 mg dosage for adults before starting chemotherapy-sessions.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.
