Ondansetron oral tablets dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes dosages and strengths for ondansetron oral tablets and gives details on how to take them. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for ondansetron. If you want to know more about ondansetron oral tablets, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Ondansetron oral tablets are a generic medication. They’re not available in a brand-name version. Ondansetron also comes as a liquid solution for injection and oral solution, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

*ODT means orally disintegrating tablet which dissolves on the tongue when you take it.

Forms and strengths of ondansetron

Ondansetron comes in these forms and strengths:

Dosage of ondansetron

This article describes the recommended dosages for ondansetron oral tablets. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of ondansetron oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of ondansetron in adults

Ondansetron is prescribed in adults to prevent nausea and vomiting from types of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and from anesthesia for surgery. How often you take ondansetron depends on the reason for its use. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of ondansetron oral tablets that give the desired outcome.

Dosages of ondansetron in children

Ondansetron is approved to prevent nausea and vomiting for chemotherapy in children ages 4 years and older. Their doctor calculates  their dosage based on their age.

Dosage for ages 4–11 years: Your child will take 4 mg 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Then they’ll take 4 mg 4 hours and 8 hours after the first dose. After this they’ll take 4 mg three times per day for 1 to 2 days after treatment is complete.

Dosage for ages 12–17 years: Your child will take 8 mg of ondansetron 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Then they’ll take 8 mg 8 hours after the first dose. After this, they’ll take 8 mg every 12 hours for 1–2 days after treatment ends.

If you have questions about your child’s dosage of ondansetron, talk with their doctor.

Dosage adjustments for ondansetron

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of ondansetron oral tablets based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of ondansetron

You’ll take ondansetron to prevent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or after surgery. Your doctor will explain your dosage and dosage schedule. They can tell you what you should do if you miss taking ondansetron.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of ondansetron oral tablets. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of ondansetron oral tablets and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about ondansetron oral tablets and the dosage.

Are dosage adjustments needed for older adults taking ondansetron?

Maybe. Older adults age 65 years and older taking ondansetron didn’t need a dosage adjustment in the drug’s studies. But it took longer for ondansetron to clear from the body of people older than 75 years. It’s possible that this can lead to an increased risk of side effects from the drug. But there isn’t enough information to know if people older than 75 years may need dosage adjustments to lower their risk for side effects of the medication.

If you have questions about your dosage of ondansetron, talk with your doctor. They’ll determine the best dosage for you based on your overall health and the condition the drug is being used to manage.

Is ondansetron taken long term?

No, doctors do not typically prescribe ondansetron oral tablets as a long-term treatment. Instead, they’re usually recommended for short-term use.

If you have questions about how long you should take ondansetron oral tablets, talk with your doctor.

How ondansetron is taken

Ondansetron oral tablets or orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) are taken by mouth. You’ll take them as directed by your doctor based on the purpose for their use.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Ondansetron ODT dissolves on the tongue as soon as you take it. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about this form of ondansetron.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Ondansetron coupon

Visit these pages to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for ondansetron oral tablets and oral disintegrating tablets when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of ondansetron

It’s important that you do not take more ondansetron oral tablets than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects. 

Symptoms of ondansetron overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• low blood pressure
• serotonin syndrome (caused by having too much of the brain chemical serotonin)
• severe constipation
• sleepiness
• seizures
• fast heart rate

What to do if you take too much ondansetron

If you think you’ve taken too much ondansetron, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for ondansetron oral tablets. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of ondansetron oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take ondansetron oral tablets exactly as your doctor prescribes them. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I take another dose of ondansetron if I vomit my dose?
• Would I have a higher risk of side effects if I take the highest dose of ondansetron?
• Will I need a dosage adjustment if I’m taking oral chemotherapy medications?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.