Zofran – also known as ondansetron – is a prescription anti-nausea treatment that we’re sooo glad to have stocked in our medicine cabinet. Whether you have nausea from new medications, birth control pills, long-haul travels, or a few too many drinks, Zofran is here to help! Zofran works by blocking the signals that tell your brain and gut that you need to vomit—so you can prevent nausea before it starts.

Sounds simple enough, right? Well, we know you probably have a few questions about this medication, so we’re here to answer them all! Read on to learn if Zofran makes you sleepy, what its side effects are, how long it lasts, and how long Zofran takes to work. Let’s dive in.

Does Zofran make you sleepy?

A super common question is if Zofran makes you sleepy or fatigued. In general, it’s rare to experience side effects while taking Zofran. But, each person’s system is unique and can react differently to medication! Drowsiness is one of the more common side effects of Zofran–but this could be attributed to the medication itself, or due to the reason you’re taking it.

For example, Zofran is often prescribed for folks experiencing nausea after a surgical procedure or while receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy–and these are extremely fatiguing treatments on their own.

However, Zofran also works by blocking the serotonin receptors that cause nausea. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter involved in regulating sleep which can indirectly influence pathways that control wakefulness and sleep. As you can imagine, this may make you feel sleepier than normal!

So, regardless of the reason you’re taking Zofran, it’s important to exercise caution and plan accordingly! Don’t plan on driving if it’s your first time with this medication or if you already know Zofran makes you sleepy.

How often can you take Zofran?

We prescribe one tablet of Zofran every eight hours—make sure to follow your prescription directions as indicated by your provider to prevent taking over the maximum daily dosing and to prevent side effects. More good news: Zofran can be taken with or without food. That means you don’t have to plan your doses around meals–or try to eat when you’re already feeling queasy.

Important note: Zofran shouldn’t be taken with alcohol or any other recreational drugs. Keep this in mind if you’re packing Zofran in your travel bag for your next vacation!

What are side effects for Zofran?

Zofran is known to be a generally well-tolerated drug. That means it’s pretty rare to experience side effects while taking it! That being said, medication affects everyone differently, so it’s important to know what to watch out for.

Possible side effects of Zofran include:

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

These are the more common side effects associated with Zofran, but they should pass within a few days. If they don’t go away, go ahead and reach out to a doctor.

Serious side effects of Zofran are rare. But, this medication works by blocking your body’s serotonin receptors so they can’t send signals to your brain to vomit. This means that you’ll have more serotonin circulating in your system. A few other medications also allow for an increase in your body’s serotonin levels, including medications that help with anxiety and depression (SSRIs), migraine medications (Triptans), and antibiotics like Linezolid.

Taking Zofran at the same time as these medications can put you at risk of serotonin syndrome - a condition that happens when your serotonin levels are dangerously high - but the risk of developing this side effect is low when you are on a short-term dose, like the one Wisp provides.

Mild symptoms of serotonin syndrome include shakiness, excessive sweating, or having trouble sleeping. Serious symptoms can include high fever, uncontrollable diarrhea, and uncontrollable shaking and body movements. If you start noticing any of these symptoms while taking Zofran, stop taking the medication and talk to a doctor right away.

Okie dokie, last bit of important info about possible side effects of Zofran. In rare cases, taking Zofran can increase your risk of heart arrhythmias – or abnormal heart rhythms – and that can be quite dangerous. Folks who are at risk of this include those who:

• Take antiarrhythmic medication
• Have low potassium or magnesium levels
• Take antibiotics from the Fluoroquinolone family (Ciprofloxacin, Levaquin)
• Take antibiotics from the Macrolide family (Azithromycin)

If you think you’re at risk for these more serious side effects, talk to your medical provider before taking Zofran.

Can you take Zofran while pregnant?

Being pregnant is a beautiful thing! But the morning sickness that comes with it? Not so much. So, it’s totally understandable to wonder if you can take Zofran during pregnancy, to help ease some of that first-trimester nausea. Unfortunately, the answer to this one is complicated. That’s why Wisp doesn’t prescribe Zofran if you’re pregnant—but let’s explain.

Basically, Zofran is not recommended as a first-line treatment during pregnancy. Some studies have shown that taking Zofran doesn’t pose a risk to a fetus–but those were animal studies, which don’t perfectly predict how a human fetus would respond.

Other studies reported an association between taking Zofran while pregnant and the baby being born with a heart defect or cleft palate—an opening in the roof of the mouth that can be fixed with surgery. But, the evidence is not conclusive and studies have shown mixed results. That means the defects could have been attributed to other factors, rather than Zofran (1).

Another common question is if you can take Zofran while breastfeeding—and, unfortunately, we have another unsatisfactory answer! There are no studies in humans that examine taking Zofran while breastfeeding. Ugh! Use of Zofran in nursing mothers beyond the immediate postpartum setting has not been studied well, but the drug is labeled for use in infants as young as 1 month of age. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Zofran ODT, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Zofran ODT or from the underlying maternal condition. (2).

Clearly, the world needs some more conclusive data about taking Zofran during pregnancy or while breastfeeding! We’ll keep you updated if the science or our policies change, but we currently don’t prescribe Zofran to our pregnant Wisp users. And if you’re looking for more details, go ahead and reach out to your doctor!

How long does Zofran last?

If you’re suffering from persistent nausea, you might be wondering how long Zofran lasts! You'll be feeling the benefits of Zofran for a few hours and the medication is eliminated from your body after 15-20 hours. The typical Zofran dosage is one tablet every eight hours–not exceeding three tablets in 24 hours. So, follow the dosage instructions and Zofran should keep your stomach nausea-free all day long.

We offer a five-day supply of Zofran as an add-on to certain medications–or as a standalone prescription. So, if you know you get sick while traveling or suffer from indigestion when eating new foods, plan ahead and take Zofran with you to keep your travels nausea-free!

How long does Zofran take to work?

Zofran can come in a few different forms: tablets, oral disintegrating tablets (ODT), or an oral solution. Wisp offers this medication as ODT – tablets that dissolve on your tongue – as this makes them fast-acting! Another tip: peel back the foil on the medication package, rather than pushing the tablets out. You don’t want to crush Zofran ODT in a queasy rush!

Okay, so, how long does it take Zofran to work? It takes about 30 minutes for Zofran’s amazing anti-nausea power to kick in, reaching full effect in about two hours.

If you’re taking Zofran to prevent nausea caused by medication–like emergency contraception, hormonal birth control, or certain antibiotics–take one tablet 30 minutes before your medication. That will give Zofran enough time to start working and keep those waves of nausea from ruining your day!

Where can I get Zofran?

Alright folks, there you have it! Whether you have travel-induced indigestion or a new medication is messing with your system, Zofran can keep nausea from getting in your way. We’re so glad to offer Zofran ODT—quickly, easily, and without a waiting room—so you and your stomach can get on with your day.

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