This article describes possible interactions with ondansetron oral tablets. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
In addition to oral tablets that you swallow, ondansetron comes in these other forms:
- disintegrating tablets that you place on your tongue and allow to dissolve
- an oral solution that you swallow
- a solution that’s injected into a muscle or vein
Other drugs and ondansetron
The drugs in the list below may interact with ondansetron oral tablets. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with ondansetron.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with ondansetron oral tablets include:
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When to avoid ondansetron
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with ondansetron oral tablets. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe ondansetron in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of ondansetron contraindications:
- If you take the drug Apokyn (apomorphine). If you take Apokyn, taking ondansetron oral tablets may cause serious side effects, including severely low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
- Past allergic reaction to ondansetron. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to ondansetron oral tablets, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking ondansetron, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take ondansetron.
Alcohol and ondansetron
Ondansetron oral tablets are not known to have interactions with alcohol.
However, ondansetron is prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting in certain situations, such as after receiving chemotherapy. Your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol during this time, since alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting in some people.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking ondansetron oral tablets.
Other interactions and ondansetron
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether ondansetron oral tablets have these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with ondansetron.
Ondansetron and supplements
Before taking ondansetron oral tablets, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ondansetron interactions with herbs
Ondansetron oral tablets may interact with several different herbs. These interactions occur with herbs and herbal supplements that can affect your heart rhythm. These include:
Taking ondansetron and an herb that affects your heart rhythm raises your risk of an irregular heart rhythm as a side effect of ondansetron and the herb.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking ondansetron oral tablets.
Ondansetron interactions with vitamins
Ondansetron oral tablets aren’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking vitamins while taking ondansetron oral tablets.
Ondansetron and food
Ondansetron oral tablets aren’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking ondansetron oral tablets.
Ondansetron and vaccines
Ondansetron oral tablets aren’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before getting any vaccines while taking ondansetron oral tablets.
Ondansetron and lab tests
Ondansetron oral tablets aren’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking ondansetron oral tablets.
Ondansetron and cannabis or CBD
Ondansetron oral tablets aren’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with ondansetron.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level in the United States but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and ondansetron
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with ondansetron oral tablets. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking ondansetron, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether ondansetron is right for you.
Health conditions or other factors that might interact with ondansetron oral tablets include:
Preventing ondansetron interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with ondansetron oral tablets. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking ondansetron oral tablets.
Taking ondansetron exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about ondansetron and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does my risk of interactions with ondansetron depend on how long I take the drug?
- Does my ondansetron dosage affect my risk of side effects?
- Do I need to take ondansetron and other medications at a specific time of day to avoid interactions?
- Do other medications that prevent nausea and vomiting have similar interactions as ondansetron?
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.
