Zofran is a medication which is used against nausea and vomiting, especially when caused as a side effect of medical treatment, e.g. during cancer treatment.
How does the medicament take effect?
Nausea and vomiting are a self-protection of the body in order to get rid of harmful substances. Apart from that, nausea and vomiting is also common during pregnancy, cytostatic drug treatment (chemotherapy for people suffering from cancer) and when travelling.
In the case of cytostatic drug treatment, serotonin (a neurotransmitter occurring naturally in the body) is released which affects 5 serotonin bonds and amongst others, causes nausea.
The active substance in Zofran blocks the bonds, therefore, serotonin does not have any effect.
Can the medication be used by pregnant women?
Studies about this medication have been performed in pregnant rats and rabbits and have given no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the foetus due to ondansetron, the active substance of Zofran. However, there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed and only in consultation with the doctor.
Can the medicament be used by breastfeeding women?
During animal reproduction studies, it has been proven that ondansetron is excreted in the breast milk of rats. Although it is not known whether ondansetron is excreted in human milk, it is recommended that the woman should stop breastfeeding if the taking of the medicament is essential for her health.
source : http://www.pregnancy-due-date.com/getting-pregnant/faq24-zofran-pregnancy.shtml
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