Consumer medicine information

Ondansetron ODT GH

Ondansetron

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Ondansetron ODT GH

Active ingredient

Ondansetron

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Ondansetron ODT GH.

What is in this leaflet?

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets.

This leaflet answers some common questions about Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets. It does not contain all of 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 Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets are used for

Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets belong to a group of medicines called antiemetics.

Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets work by helping to stop the nausea (sick feeling) and vomiting which can occur after certain treatments.

'Orally disintegrating' used in the product name, is the word used for the special type of tablet which dissolves in a few seconds when placed on the tongue. It is easier to swallow than ordinary tablets.

Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets should only be used to treat the nausea and vomiting for which they have been prescribed.

Your doctor may have prescribed Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets for another reason.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets have been prescribed for you.

Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets are not addictive.

Before you take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets

When you must not take them

  • Do not take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets if you are taking apomorphine (used to treat Parkinson's disease)
  • Do not take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ondansetron or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
    Symptoms of an allergic reaction may be mild or severe. They usually include some or all of the following: wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash ("hives") or fainting.
  • Do not take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor says you should.
    Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Do not take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
    If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
  • Do not take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If you're not sure whether you should be taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take them

You must tell your doctor if:

  • you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
  • you have, or used to have, liver problems
  • you suffer from severe constipation or have a blockage in your gut
  • you have phenylketonuria, as Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets contain aspartame.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may affect the way others work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets with other medicines.

Use in children

There is limited experience in children. Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets can be taken by children over 4 years of age.

How to take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets

The Pharmacist's label on the pack will tell you how to take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets. If there is something you do not understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How much to take

DO NOT take more Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets than your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

DO NOT take Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets MORE OFTEN than your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

If you vomit within one hour of taking your first Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablet of each course prescribed for you, you should take the same dose again. If you continue to vomit, tell your doctor.

How to take them

PEEL BACK the foil top of the blister strip and GENTLY remove the Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablet. (DO NOT try to push it through the foil top as the tablet is fragile and will break up inside the foil). Place the Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablet on top of your tongue. It will disappear very quickly, then swallow as normal.

When to take them

Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you when you should take your Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets.

How long to take them

Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you how long you should take your Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets.

If you forget to take them

If you miss your dose and you do not feel sick take your next dose when you are meant to.

If you miss your dose, and you feel sick, take the missed dose as soon as possible, then go back to taking your Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablet as you would normally. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.

If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

While you are taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets

Things you must do

Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets if you are about to be started on any new medicines.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.

Things you must not do

Do not stop taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets, or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

Do not use Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.

Side-Effects

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.

Like other medicines, Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets can cause some side-effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

The most commonly reported side-effects are:

  • headache
  • a sensation of warmth or flushing
  • mild stomach cramps
  • constipation or diarrhoea
  • dry mouth
  • hiccups
  • dizziness or light-headed feeling

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • chest pain or tightness of chest
  • changes in the way your heart beats eg if you notice it beating faster or slower than normal, or if it beats irregularly or if it 'throbs'
  • disturbance in heart rhythm (sometimes causing a sudden loss of consciousness)
  • low blood pressure
  • abnormal muscular body movements or shaking
  • involuntary upward movement of the eyes
  • unusual muscle tone causing distortion of the body
  • fits or convulsions
  • patient may experience "serotonin syndrome" (confusion, sweating, unsteadiness, shaking, diarrhoea) when Ondansetron ODT GH is taken in combination with other serotonergic drugs. Serotonergic drugs can include certain types of antidepressants, opioid pain medicines such as tramadol and fentanyl, and lithium. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. Please discuss with your pharmacist or doctor if you have any concerns.
  • Severe skin reaction where the top layer of the skin detaches from the lower layers.

If you think you are having an allergic reaction to Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets, TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital.

Symptoms usually include some or all of the following:

  • wheezing
  • swelling of the lips/mouth
  • difficulty in breathing
  • hay fever
  • lumpy rash ("hives")
  • fainting

This is not a complete list of all possible side-effects.

Others may occur in some people and there may be some side-effects not yet known.

If your nausea (feeling of sickness) or vomiting does not go away, ask your doctor what to do.

In certain illnesses and treatments where ondansetron has been used, blood vessel blockage has occurred.

However, it is important to note that blood vessel blockage has also occurred in these illnesses and treatments when ondansetron has NOT been used. Discuss this with your doctor if you have any concerns.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.

After taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets

Storage

Keep this medicine where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Keep Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets in a cool, dry place where it stays below 30° C.

Do not store it, or any other medicine, in a bathroom or near a sink.

Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep your Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets in their pack until it is time to take them. If taken out of their pack, they may not keep well.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets, or they have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any wafers left over.

Product description

What Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets look like.

Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets are white, round tablets, with “O” on one side and “4” or “8” on the other side. They come in a foil blister pack of 4 or 10 tablets, which is contained in a box. There is a 4 mg strength and an 8 mg strength.

Ingredients

Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets contain either 4 mg or 8 mg of the active ingredient ondansetron. They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, aspartame, mannitol, pregelatinised maize starch, crospovidone, colloidal anhydrous silica, guar gum, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulphate and strawberry flavour.

Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets do not contain gluten or lactose

Supplier

Your Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets are supplied by:

Generic Health Pty Ltd
Level 1, 1102 Toorak Road
Camberwell VIC 3124

This leaflet was prepared in November 2015.

Ondansetron ODT GH 4 mg orally disintegrating tablets: AUST R 231602

Ondansetron ODT GH 8 mg orally disintegrating tablets: AUST R 231603.

Published by MIMS October 2017

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Ondansetron ODT GH

Active ingredient

Ondansetron

Schedule

S4

 

Notes

Distributed by Generic Health Pty Ltd

1 Name of Medicine

Ondansetron.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Ondansetron ODT GH 4 mg and 8 mg tablets contain the following excipients: Microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, pregelatinised maize starch, crospovidone, aspartame, guar gum, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulphate, Strawberry Guarana 586997 AP0551.
Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets do not contain gluten or lactose.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Ondansetron ODT GH 4 mg orally disintegrating tablets.

White to off-white, round, biconvex, uncoated tablets embossed '4' on one side and 'O' on the other side.

Ondansetron ODT GH 8 mg orally disintegrating tablets.

White to off‐white, round, biconvex, uncoated tablets embossed '8' on one side and 'O' on the other side.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic therapy and radiotherapy.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

The emetogenic potential of cancer treatment varies according to the doses and combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens used. The route of administration and dose of ondansetron should be flexible in the range of 8 to 32 mg a day and selected as shown below. The lowest effective dose should be used.
The Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablet is administered by placing it on top of the tongue where it dissolves within seconds, and is swallowed.

Adults.

Emetogenic chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

For the control of chemotherapy or radiotherapy induced emesis or nausea in adults, two oral doses of 8 mg each at 12 hourly intervals may be given (tablets or orally disintegrating tablets), the first dose being administered two hours prior to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. To protect against delayed emesis after the first 24 hours, ondansetron should be continued orally at a dosage of 8 mg twice daily, for up to five days after a course of treatment.

Use in children.

Emetogenic chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Experience is currently limited but ondansetron was effective and well tolerated in children over 4 years of age, when given intravenously at a dose of 5 mg/m2 over 15 minutes immediately before chemotherapy, followed by oral therapy at doses of 4 mg twice daily for up to five days. The dose of 5 mg/m2 is based on limited data.

Use in the elderly.

Emetogenic chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Efficacy and tolerance in patients aged over 65 years was similar to that seen in younger adults, indicating no need to alter dosage or route of administration in the elderly.

Impaired renal function.

No alteration of daily dosage, frequency of dosing or route of administration is required.

Impaired hepatic function.

A study which investigated the effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron in 24 subjects showed that the plasma clearance of ondansetron is reduced to about 20% of normal and the serum half‐life is significantly prolonged in subjects with severe impairment of hepatic function.
The results in patients with only mildly or moderately impaired hepatic function were less clear. The study showed that in this group the plasma clearance of ondansetron fell to about 50% of that seen in healthy volunteers. Subjects with mild and moderate impairment were not distinguishable from each other for any parameter. This was believed to be partly due to the lack of sensitivity of the Pugh classification system in distinguishing between patients with mild or moderate impairment.
It is recommended that a total daily dose of 8 mg should not be exceeded for patients with moderate or severe hepatic dysfunction. For optimum clinical effect it is recommended that this total daily dose be administered before chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The severity of the liver disease was assessed according to Pugh's modification of Child's classification (Pugh et al., Brit. J. Surg. 1973; 60 (8): 646‐649). Patients with a Pugh score of 5 or less were considered to have good hepatic function. A patient with a score of 6 was graded as having mild hepatic impairment, 7 to 9 as moderate hepatic impairment and 10 or more as severe hepatic impairment. The clinical features used in the grading and the weighting system applied are shown in Table 1.

Patients with poor sparteine/debrisoquine metabolism.

There were no significant differences among poor and extensive debrisoquine categorised metabolisers with regard to ondansetron disposition (area under the curve, total systemic clearance, elimination half‐life) following a single 8 mg intravenous dose. The effect of repeated dosing was not investigated, nevertheless dosage adjustments will probably not be required in patients receiving ondansetron by the oral route.

4.3 Contraindications

Based on reports of profound hypotension and loss of consciousness when ondansetron was administered with apomorphine hydrochloride, concomitant use with apomorphine is contraindicated.
Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Identified precautions.

Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in patients who have exhibited hypersensitivity to other selective 5HT3‐receptor antagonists.
Ondansetron prolongs the QT interval in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, postmarketing cases of Torsade de Pointes have been reported in patients using ondansetron. Avoid ondansetron in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Ondansetron should be administered with caution to patients who have or may develop prolongation of QTc, including patients with electrolyte abnormalities, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias or patients taking other medicinal products that lead to QT prolongation or electrolyte abnormalities.
Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia should be corrected prior to ondansetron administration.
Serotonin syndrome has been described following the concomitant use of ondansetron and other serotonergic drugs (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions). If concomitant treatment with ondansetron and other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised.
As ondansetron is known to increase large bowel transit time, patients with signs of subacute intestinal obstruction should be monitored following administration.
Ondansetron ODT GH orally disintegrating tablets contain aspartame and therefore should be taken with caution in patients with phenylketonuria.
Repeat dosing has not been studied in paediatric patients who experience nausea and/or vomiting despite receiving ondansetron prophylaxis or who continue to experience symptoms after ondansetron treatment.

Myocardial ischaemia.

Cases of myocardial ischaemia have been reported in patients treated with ondansetron. In some patients, especially in the case of intravenous administration, symptoms appeared immediately after administration of ondansetron. Patients should be alerted to the signs and symptoms of myocardial ischaemia.

Use in the elderly.

No data available.

Paediatric use.

No data available.

Effects on laboratory tests.

No data available.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

There is no evidence that ondansetron either induces or inhibits the metabolism of other drugs commonly coadministered with it. Specific studies have shown that there are no pharmacokinetic interactions when ondansetron is administered with alcohol, temazepam, alfentanil, furosemide, tramadol or propofol.
Ondansetron is metabolised by multiple hepatic cytochrome P450 drug enzymes: CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP1A2. Due to the multiplicity of metabolic enzymes capable of metabolising ondansetron, enzyme inhibition or reduced activity of one enzyme (e.g. CYP2D6 genetic deficiency) is normally compensated by other enzymes and should result in little or no significant change in overall ondansetron clearance or dose requirement.
Caution should be exercised when ondansetron is coadministered with drugs that prolong the QT interval and/or cause electrolyte abnormalities (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Based on reports of profound hypotension and loss of consciousness when ondansetron was administered with apomorphine hydrochloride, concomitant use with apomorphine is contraindicated.
In patients treated with potent inducers of CYP3A4 (i.e. phenytoin, carbamazepine and rifampicin), the oral clearance of ondansetron was increased and ondansetron blood concentrations were decreased.
Following a single 8 mg tablet dose of ondansetron, a three to fourfold decrease in the systemic exposure has been seen in adult epileptic subjects maintained on chronic doses of carbamazepine (n = 8) or phenytoin (n = 8) and not receiving chemotherapy. The effect of these enzyme inducing agents on intravenous ondansetron has not been assessed, but the absence of any first pass effects would be expected to result in a smaller change in exposure than seen following oral dosing.
Due to the limited efficacy data in subjects on antiepileptics and the many variables that may influence exposure and response, the clinical significance of this drug interaction in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy is not known.
Data from small studies indicate that ondansetron may reduce the analgesic effect of tramadol.

Serotonergic drugs (e.g. SSRIs and SNRIs).

Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability and neuromuscular abnormalities) has been described following the concomitant use of ondansetron and other serotonergic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

Oral doses of ondansetron up to 15 mg/kg/day in rats had no effect on male or female fertility.
Women of childbearing potential should consider the use of contraception.
(Category B1)
Based on human experience from epidemiological studies, ondansetron is suspected to cause orofacial malformations when administered during the first trimester of pregnancy. Animal studies does not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. Ondansetron should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Tests have shown that ondansetron is excreted in the breast milk of rats. It is therefore recommended that mothers receiving ondansetron should not breastfeed their babies.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effects of this medicine on a person's ability to drive and use machines were not assessed as part of its registration.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Adverse events are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (greater than or equal to 1/10), common (greater than or equal to 1/100 and < 1/10), uncommon (greater than or equal to 1/1,000 and < 1/100), rare (greater than or equal to 1/10,000 and < 1/1,000) and very rare (< 1/10,000), including isolated reports. Very common, common and uncommon events were generally determined from clinical trial data. The incidence in placebo was taken into account. Rare and very rare events were generally determined from postmarketing spontaneous data.
The following frequencies are estimated at the standard recommended doses of ondansetron according to indication and formulation.

Immune system disorders.

Rare: immediate hypersensitivity reactions, sometimes severe, including anaphylaxis.

Nervous system disorders.

Very common: headache. Uncommon: seizures, movement disorders (including extrapyramidal reactions such as oculogyric crisis, dystonic reactions and dyskinesia have been observed without definitive evidence of persistent clinical sequelae).

Eye disorders.

Rare: transient visual disturbances (e.g. blurred vision) predominantly during intravenous administration. Very rare: transient blindness predominantly during intravenous administration. The majority of the blindness cases reported resolved within 20 minutes. Most patients had received chemotherapeutic agents, which included cisplatin. Some cases of transient blindness were reported as cortical in origin.

Cardiac disorders.

Uncommon: arrhythmias, chest pain with or without ST segment depression, bradycardia. Rare: QTc prolongation (including Torsade de Pointes). Unknown: myocardial ischaemia.

Vascular disorders.

Common: sensation of warmth or flushing. Uncommon: hypotension.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Uncommon: hiccups.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Common: constipation, xerostomia.

Hepatobiliary disorders.

Uncommon: asymptomatic increases in liver function tests#.
# These events were observed commonly in patients receiving chemotherapy with cisplatin.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Very rare: toxic skin eruption, including toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms.

Little is known at present about overdosage with ondansetron, however, a limited number of patients have received overdoses. Manifestations that have been reported include visual disturbances, severe constipation, hypotension and a vasovagal episode with transient second degree AV block. In all instances, the events resolved completely.
Ondansetron prolongs QT interval in a dose‐dependent fashion. ECG monitoring is recommended in cases of overdose.
Cases consistent with serotonin syndrome have been reported in young children following oral overdose.

Treatment.

There is no specific antidote for ondansetron, therefore in cases of suspected overdose, symptomatic and supportive therapy should be given as appropriate.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Ondansetron is a potent, highly selective 5HT3‐receptor antagonist. Its precise mode of action in the control of nausea and vomiting is not known. Chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy may cause release of 5HT in the small intestine, initiating a vomiting reflex by activating vagal afferents via 5HT3‐receptors. Ondansetron blocks the initiation of this reflex. Activation of vagal afferents may also cause a release of 5HT in the area postrema, located on the floor of the fourth ventricle, and this may also promote emesis through a central mechanism. Thus, the effect of ondansetron in the management of the nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy is due to antagonism of 5HT3-receptors on neurons located both in the peripheral and central nervous system. The mechanisms of action in postoperative nausea and vomiting are not known but there may be common pathways with cytotoxic induced nausea and vomiting. In psychomotor testing, ondansetron does not impair performance or cause sedation. Ondansetron does not alter plasma prolactin concentrations.
A study in cloned human cardiac ion channels has shown ondansetron has the potential to affect cardiac repolarisation via blockade of HERG potassium channels. The clinical relevance of this finding is uncertain.

Clinical trials.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.

Adult studies.

Highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

In a double blind, randomised study 152 patients were given ondansetron 8 mg intravenously as a single dose and 173 patients were given 32 mg intravenously as a single dose 30 minutes prior to cisplatin (greater than or equal to 50 mg/m2). No significant difference in terms of emesis control or grade of nausea was demonstrated between 8 mg or 32 mg.
However, in some studies conducted in patients receiving medium (50 to 90 mg/m2) or high doses (greater than or equal to 100 mg/m2) of cisplatin chemotherapy, the 32 mg single dose has demonstrated a statistically significant superiority over the 8 mg single dose with regard to control of emesis (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).
In a double blind, randomised, crossover trial, 103 chemotherapy naive patients scheduled to receive cisplatin (50 to 120 mg/m2) chemotherapy were recruited. 91 patients completed both courses of ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg (8 mg) intravenously (three doses) with or without dexamethasone 20 mg intravenously. The combination of ondansetron and dexamethasone was shown to be significantly superior to ondansetron alone.
In a randomised, double blind parallel group study, 420 patients were randomised to receive either a ondansetron 16 mg suppository prior to cisplatin chemotherapy (greater than or equal to 50 mg/m2) on day 1 followed by a ondansetron 16 mg suppository once daily for a further two days, or ondansetron 8 mg intravenously prior to cisplatin chemotherapy followed by ondansetron 8 mg orally twice daily for a further two days. Results from the primary efficacy analysis (i.e. less than or equal to two emetic episodes on day 1) show that an ondansetron suppository and combined ondansetron intravenous and oral regimens are equivalent.
However, results from the secondary efficacy analyses (e.g. number of emetic episodes on day 1, the worst day of days 1 to 3 and overall of days 1 to 3) showed that the ondansetron suppository was less effective.
Patients on a combined ondansetron intravenous and oral regimen remained free of emesis for significantly longer than patients receiving ondansetron suppository.
In a randomised double blind, parallel group study 542 patients were randomised to receive either ondansetron tablets (3 x 8 mg) plus dexamethasone capsules (2 x 6 mg), or intravenous ondansetron 8 mg plus intravenous dexamethasone 20 mg, prior to cisplatin infusion. Ondansetron 24 mg administered orally was as effective as ondansetron 8 mg given intravenously in controlling acute emesis and nausea induced by cisplatin chemotherapy. One ondansetron 24 mg tablet has been shown to be bioequivalent to three ondansetron 8 mg tablets.
There are no studies on the use of suppositories in radiation induced nausea and vomiting.

Emetogenic chemotherapy.

In a double blind, parallel group study 82 patients were randomised to either ondansetron 8 mg intravenously prior to cyclophosphamide (greater than or equal to 500 mg/m2) based chemotherapy (doxorubicin or epirubicin greater than or equal to 40 mg/m2) followed by 8 mg orally three times a day for three to five days or metoclopramide 60 mg intravenously prior to chemotherapy followed by 20 mg orally three times a day for three to five days. Ondansetron was shown to be significantly superior to metoclopramide.
In a randomised, single blind study, ondansetron 8 mg orally twice daily in 155 patients was compared with ondansetron 8 mg orally three times daily in 153 patients for three to five days following chemotherapy. Ondansetron 8 mg intravenously was given prior to cyclophosphamide (greater than or equal to 500 mg/m2) based chemotherapy (doxorubicin or epirubicin > 40 mg/m2) on day 1. Ondansetron 8 mg given orally twice daily was as effective as ondansetron 8 mg given orally three times daily.
In a randomised double blind parallel group study, 406 patients were randomised to receive either an ondansetron 16 mg suppository once daily for three days or ondansetron 8 mg orally twice daily for three days. The first administration of the suppository and tablet began two hours and one to two hours respectively prior to cyclophosphamide chemotherapy (greater than or equal to 500 mg/m2) on day 1. Results from the primary efficacy analysis (less than or equal to two emetic episodes on the worst day of days 1 to 3) show that the ondansetron suppository treatment is equivalent to the ondansetron oral treatment. The ondansetron suppository was less effective than ondansetron oral treatment for a number of other secondary efficacy criteria (complete control of emesis on the worst day of days 1 to 3, total number of emetic episodes days 1 to 3 and number of emetic episodes on worst day of days 1 to 3).
Paediatric studies. Three open label, uncontrolled, noncomparative studies have been performed with 182 patients aged 4 to 18 years with cancer who were given a variety of cisplatin or noncisplatin regimens. In these trials an initial intravenous dose of ondansetron was followed by oral administration of ondansetron. In these studies, 58% of the 170 evaluable patients had no emetic episodes on day 1.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.

Following oral dosing with ondansetron, peak plasma concentrations are achieved in approximately 1.5 hours. For doses above 8 mg the increase in ondansetron systemic exposure with dose is greater than proportional; this may reflect some reduction in first pass metabolism at higher doses. The absolute bioavailability of the ondansetron tablet is approximately 60% (range 36 to 112%).
The plasma protein binding is 70 to 76%. The volume of distribution is 1.8 L/kg.
Ondansetron is extensively metabolised in humans, with approximately 5% of a radiolabelled dose recovered as the parent compound from the urine. The primary metabolic pathway is hydroxylation on the indole ring followed by glucuronide or sulfate conjugation. Although some nonconjugated metabolites have pharmacological activity, these are not found in plasma concentrations likely to significantly contribute to the biological activity of ondansetron. Ondansetron is a substrate for multiple human hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes including CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. This multiplicity of metabolic enzymes capable of metabolising ondansetron means that inhibition or loss of one enzyme (e.g. CYP2D6 genetic deficiency) results in little change in overall rates of ondansetron elimination.
The terminal elimination half‐life of ondansetron after oral dosing is 4.1 to 11.6 hours. The half‐life may be prolonged in the elderly. In patients with severe hepatic impairment, systemic clearance is markedly reduced with prolonged elimination half‐lives (15 to 32 hours) and an oral bioavailability approaching 100% because of reduced pre-systemic metabolism.
In a study of 21 children aged 3 to 12 years receiving elective surgery with general anaesthesia, the clearance and volume of distribution of ondansetron following a single intravenous dose of 2 mg (3 to 7 years old) or 4 mg (8 to 12 years old) were reduced. The size of the change was age related with clearance falling from about 300 mL/minute at 12 years of age to 100 mL/minute at 3 years. Volume of distribution fell from about 75 L at 12 years to 17 L at 3 years.
The clinical safety of ondansetron in children under 2 years has not been established. Increased incidence of mortality with no specific target organ toxicity has been observed in young rats with immature drug metabolising enzymes.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Ondansetron did not induce mutations in Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli or Chinese hamster ovary cells in the presence or absence of metabolic activation, and showed no potential for causing chromosomal damage in vitro in peripheral human lymphocytes or in vivo in a mouse micronucleus assay. No evidence for DNA damage was observed with ondansetron in a yeast mitotic gene conversion assay.

Carcinogenicity.

No evidence for carcinogenic activity was found in two year studies at ondansetron doses up to 10 mg/kg/day by gavage in rats or up to 30 mg/kg/day via drinking water in mice.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

See Section 2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 30°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Ondansetron ODT GH 4 mg orally disintegrating tablets.

White to off‐white, round, biconvex, uncoated tablets embossed '4' on one side and 'O' on the other side; packs of 4, 6 or 10 (foil blister pack).

Ondansetron ODT GH 8 mg orally disintegrating tablets.

White to off‐white, round, biconvex, uncoated tablets embossed '8' on one side and 'O' on the other side; packs 4, 6 or 10 (foil blister pack).
Not all strengths and pack sizes are necessarily marketed.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Ondansetron is a white to off-white powder with a melting point of approximately 230°C. It is insoluble in water. It is soluble in chloroform and acetic acid. The pKa of ondansetron is 10.4 at 30°C (Diluent: water and methanol in the ratio of 35:65).

Chemical structure.


CAS number.

99614‐02‐5 (ondansetron).

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4 - Prescription Only Medicine.

Summary Table of Changes