ondansetron
Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Ondansetron is in a class of medications called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking ondansetron affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
According to the MotherToBaby fact sheet, it is not known whether taking ondansetron can make it harder to get pregnant. Animal studies have not shown that ondansetron affects the ability to become pregnant. Any specific concerns about fertility should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking ondansetron increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. The MotherToBaby fact sheet notes that studies have not reported a higher chance of miscarriage with use of ondansetron in pregnancy. Decisions about using ondansetron should be made together with your healthcare provider.
Does taking ondansetron increase the risk of birth defects?
About 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect for various reasons. According to the fact sheet, a few studies reported a less than 1% increase in the chance of cleft palate or a heart defect, but other studies have not confirmed these findings, and most studies of thousands of pregnancies have not reported an increased chance for birth defects. This is something to talk through with your healthcare provider in the context of your individual situation.
Can taking ondansetron during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
The fact sheet states that studies did not find a higher chance of pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, or low birth weight when ondansetron was used during pregnancy. At high doses, ondansetron has been reported to potentially cause a heart rhythm change (QT interval prolongation) in the person taking it, which in severe cases could become an abnormal rhythm called Torsades de Pointes. Your healthcare provider can discuss your dose and how to monitor for heart rhythm changes.
Can taking ondansetron during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
The fact sheet describes one study of 78 infants exposed to ondansetron in pregnancy who were examined between 7 days and 2 months of age, with no unusual behaviors reported. A follow-up survey of about 25 of these children (ages 1½ to 5½ years) also did not report behavioral differences compared with unexposed children. Data are limited, so questions about long-term development are best discussed with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking ondansetron?
Information on the use of ondansetron during breastfeeding is limited, according to the fact sheet. Side effects in breastfeeding infants have not been reported, and ondansetron has been given directly to infants as young as 1 month of age. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh your individual breastfeeding questions and circumstances.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
ondansetron