Department of Emergency Medicine

UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Ondansetron: CONTRAINDICATIONS

Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Keywords: ondansetron, zofran, prolonged QT, torsades, drug interactions, ciprofloxacin, antifungal, azoles (PubMed Search)

Posted: 2/2/2012 by Ellen Lemkin, MD, PharmD
Click here to contact Ellen Lemkin, MD, PharmD

 

There are many profound interactions with ondansetron that can potentially prolong the QT, leading to Torsades in susceptible patients
 
The highlights include:
  • Antifungal agents (the -azoles)
  • Class III antiarrhythmics
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Low potency antipsychotic
 
It is actually CONTRAINDICATED in patients on ciprofloxacin
 
Use CAUTION in patients with electrolyte abnormalities, bradycardia, and CHF.
 
There are several other medication contraindications, including apomorphine, thioridazine, posaconazole, pimozide, sparfloxacin and cisapride.
 
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm272041.htm#.TyrDf_YN5Wg.gmail

References

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm272041.htm#.TyrDf_YN5Wg.gmail

 

 

 


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